Social and economic equity is a fundamental aspect in the Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) management. In collaboration with Blue Nature Alliance, ATSEA-2 took part in an interactive workshop on “Striving for Social and Economic Equity in LMEs and MPAs Management”. The workshop promoted the integration of social equity principles into marine conservation practices. This workshop was held on the last day of the IWC10 held from 23-26 September 2024 in Punta del Este, Uruguay.

This workshop featured global examples of how social equity can be embedded in marine management, focusing on four key principles: dignity and diversity of local people, participatory decision-making, equitable distribution of benefits and costs, and collaborative management.
ATSEA-2 Regional Project Manager, Dr Susanto participated as a speaker highlighting project’s role in advancing sustainable marine management, focusing on transboundary cooperation and community-based conservation efforts.

Dr Susanto emphasised the equitable distribution of benefits and costs, drawing from ATSEA-2’s work in the Arafura and Timor Seas, where community-led initiatives balance conservation with local livelihoods. He was joined by distinguished speakers, including Joaquin Labougle from PewTrusts, Scott Atkinson, and Madeline Beattie from Conservation International. The session was led by Lihla Noori, Capacity & Learning Lead at Blue Nature Alliance. Together, they explored practical approaches to integrating social equity into marine conservation. Dr Susanto stressed the need to align ecological goals with community needs. “It’s essential that we ensure communities not only participate but benefit from the conservation of marine ecosystems,” he explained.

Furthermore, stressing the importance of equitable distribution of benefits and costs, he emphasised ATSEA-2’s lessons learned on economic development and alternative livelihoods in Rote Ndao, Indonesia, and Manatuto, Timor-Leste. Together with Communications and Knowledge Management Specialist Stella Puteri, Dr Susanto facilitated a World Café-style dialogue, where participants exchanged ideas on global applications of social equity principles in marine conservation. The session concluded with key takeaways to inform future GEF projects, highlighting the need for partnerships and social equity as core elements of sustainable marine management. This session, attended by 40 participants, was one of the parallel sessions that guided 404 participants toward the closing of IWC10. The event concluded with the announcement that the Asia-Pacific region will host IWC11, continuing the global dialogue on international waters governance.

By Stella Puteri