WIO Futures 2026 (2nd edition)
Building a Resilient Ocean Economy through Science, Policy, and Community
Date: 18-19 May 2026
Lieu: Caudan Arts Centre
WIO Futures 2026, organised by the Charles Telfair Centre, opens the dialogue on a more resilient ocean economy
Developing ocean governance capable of better integrating science, public policy and communities to foster a resilient, inclusive and sustainable ocean economy: this was the central theme of the second edition of WIO Futures, a conference organised by the think tank Charles Telfair Centre.
Organised in collaboration with the IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society, the Odysseo Foundation and the Centre for Earth Science and Technology, and with the support of the Indian Ocean Rim Association, the conference notably paved the way for the development of a regional roadmap for a more resilient blue economy in the Western Indian Ocean.
Gathered around the theme “Building a Resilient Ocean Economy through Science, Policy, and Community”, researchers, policymakers, diplomats,
experts and civil society representatives from several countries discussed the major challenges shaping the region’s future. The event was attended by the Minister for Agro-industry, Fisheries and the Blue Economy, Arvin Boolell, as well as several diplomatic representatives.
Over the two days of the conference, expert sessions focused on three main areas: ocean science that is accessible and useful for decision-making, enhanced regional ocean governance, and the role of communities in the sustainable management of marine resources.
The sessions addressed issues relating to ocean technologies, maritime governance, financing the blue economy, and regional geopolitical dynamics. During the plenary session, Tim Collins (Wildlife Conservation Society) presented data from the Quieter Western Indian Ocean (QWIO) project showing the rapid growth in shipping traffic, underwater noise pollution and cetacean bycatch in the western Indian Ocean, and the need for improved governance frameworks to protect marine megafauna. The sessions also explored solutions for improved ocean data, desalination technologies, ocean radars and autonomous marine monitoring systems.
After addressing the topics of blue carbon, blue finance and environmental impact assessments, a plenary session on geopolitical challenges and the evolution of ocean governance in a changing international context brought together Professor Christian Bueger from the University of Copenhagen, Ambassador Jagdish Koonjul and Ambassador Usha Dwarka-Canabady.
In a presentation on the theme ‘Why Indigenous and Local Knowledge Matters for Resilient Ocean Futures’, Professor Rosabelle Boswell called for a more inclusive ocean governance in the Western Indian Ocean. She emphasised the need to move beyond technocratic frameworks in order to better recognise the cultural, spiritual and relational knowledge that coastal and indigenous communities hold regarding the sea. In her view, this recognition is essential to any sustainable and equitable approach to ocean governance.
Reflecting on the key takeaways from this edition, Dr Myriam Blin highlighted that the challenges facing the Western Indian Ocean require a collective approach and enhanced cooperation between the various stakeholders in the region. “This conference has laid the foundations for a regional roadmap towards a more resilient ocean economy, thanks to collaborative work bringing together complementary expertise, perspectives and experiences,” she emphasised.
At the end of these two days of discussions, preliminary recommendations were identified across three key areas. The first aims to place coastal communities and local knowledge at the heart of policy-making, whilst strengthening the collective influence of the region’s SIDS in the face of global geopolitical dynamics; the second is to strengthen the technical capacities of SIDS through technological modernisation, data sharing and inter-island training; the third is to bridge the gap between scientific research and public policy by creating shared platforms that enable scientific data to be translated intopolicy decisions.
With this second edition, WIO Futures reaffirms its commitment to strengthening the links between research, governance and action on the ground, whilst fostering regional cooperation on the major issues shaping the future of the Western Indian Ocean.
