Ocean and Marine Science Diplomacy Training for the Western Indian Ocean

A four-day onsite training on ocean and marine science diplomacy for the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region, held as a pre-event to the Science Forum South Africa (2 to 5 December 2026). 

The course strengthens participant knowledge and practical skills in science diplomacy, science-to-policy engagement, regional cooperation, and the use of scientific evidence in ocean governance and Blue Economy decision-making. It responds to transboundary challenges at the interface of science, policy and international relations, including climate change, biodiversity loss, sustainable fisheries, marine pollution, maritime security and governance of the blue economy.

Content is organised around four thematic clusters: science diplomacy foundations and skills; spatial and biodiversity governance; regional ocean challenges; and enabling conditions for African leadership. Delivery combines plenary sessions with group discussion, practical exercises and participant case studies, and the course brings policy and scientific communities together to build a community of practice in ocean and marine science diplomacy.  

Location and Venue

Pretoria, South Africa

Needs and priorities

​​​The course is organised in partnership with the IOCAFRICA, WIOMSA and the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa (SDCfA),​​​ and the Sciences Sector of the UNESCO Office for Eastern Africa​​​ and ​​​is open to participants from​​​​ ​​​ IOC​​​-UNESCO​​​ Member States of the WIO region​​​,​​​ and Namibia.​​ 

​​​Regional and Member State needs: ocean and marine challenges in the WIO are transboundary and require both scientific evidence and the capacity to engage across national, regional and global policy arenas. Those arenas include the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework under the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, SDG 14 and UNCLOS. Member States in the region have limited access to structured training that connects ocean science to these negotiation and policy processes.​​ 

​​​IOC Programme links: the course supports the ​​​objective of delivering the ocean science needed for sustainable development as the 2030 deadline of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021 to 2030) approaches, and supports IOCAFRICA regional priorities on ocean governance and the Blue Economy.​​ 

​​​In line with IOC​​​-UNESCO​​​ CD Strategic Plan, the course contributes to human resource development, to strengthening regional and sub-regional cooperation mechanisms, to the development of ocean research and governance policy in support of sustainable development, and to increased visibility and awareness of ocean science in decision-making.​​ 

​​​​​It also supports the Ocean Decade focus on Early Career Ocean Professionals​​​ (ECOPs) ​​​ through a structure that pairs experienced professionals with ECOPs as mentors.​​

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, participants will be able to:

• Define the core concepts, frameworks and tools of science diplomacy and explain their application to ocean and marine issues.
• Identify the main international and regional policy arenas shaping ocean governance, including the BBNJ Agreement, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, UNFCCC, SDG 14 and UNCLOS, and describe the entry points each offers for scientific evidence.
• Utilize the tools and framework to translate ocean and marine scientific findings into policy-relevant and diplomatic formats for identified audiences, including policy briefs and oral briefings.
• Apply negotiation, communication and stakeholder engagement techniques in simulated regional and international ocean governance settings.
• Utilize tools and frameworks to analyse a transboundary ocean or coastal challenge from their own context and set out a science diplomacy approach to addressing it, identifying the countries, institutions and stakeholders involved and the outcome sought.
• Identify institutions, networks and contacts across the WIO region, Africa and global science diplomacy actors that they can draw on after the course.

Course content and activities

The course is structured around the four thematic clusters set out in the call. Each cluster is approached under the framework of diplomacy and science-to-policy engagement.  

Cluster 1​​. Science diplomacy foundations and skills:  

Core concepts, frameworks and tools of science diplomacy, with a focus on ocean and marine issues. How scientific evidence enters national, regional and global policy arenas. Translating ocean and marine scientific knowledge into diplomatic and policy-relevant form for different audiences. Negotiation, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Cluster ​​2. Spatial and Biodiversity Governance, Conservation Planning and 30x30:  

The instruments that govern shared marine space, biodiversity and conservation, and the points at which scientific evidence carries weight in them: UNCLOS, the BBNJ Agreement, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, SDG 14, and the 30x30 target. Working through what these processes ask of scientists and officials, including conservation planning and area-based conservation, and how national positions are prepared and negotiated where marine space and biodiversity are shared across borders.

Cluster 3. Regional ocean challenges

The transboundary challenges facing the WIO region treated as cooperation problems: climate change, biodiversity loss,  conservation planning, sustainable fisheries, marine pollution, maritime security and governance of the blue economy. Where cooperation between scientists, policymakers, diplomats, communities and countries currently breaks down in the region, and what a science diplomacy approach offers. Participants work on the challenge identified in their own application.

Cluster 4. Enabling conditions for African leadership

Building and sustaining networks between WIO institutions and the broader African and global science diplomacy community. Positioning regional evidence and regional priorities in international processes. Mentoring relationships between experienced professionals and Early Career Ocean Professionals, and the formation of a community of practice that continues beyond the training.

The course include plenary sessions, group discussion, practical exercises, negotiation and communication exercises, and presentation and peer review of the science diplomacy case study each participant submits with their application. 

Target audience and prerequisites 

Policymakers, government officials, academics, researchers, and representatives of civil society, industry and international organisations who are engaged in ocean, marine or Blue Economy governance. Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs) across these sectors are particularly welcome. An ECOP is a person who self-identifies as being early in their career, within ten years or less of professional experience in a field related to the ocean science.

​​​Experienced professionals are invited to apply both as participants and as contributors and mentors to other participants.​​ 

​​​​​​​​Eligibility is limited to ​​​nationals of the following countries:​​​​     ​​​ Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa and Tanzania. Applications from women and early-career scientists are strongly encouraged.​​ 

​​​Prerequisites:​​ 

​​​Current professional engagement in ocean, marine or Blue Economy governance, science or policy. ​​​​​​ 

​​​​​​​​​​Applicants​​​ are required to​​​ submit a proposed science diplomacy case study relevant to their work as part of the application.

No prior training in diplomacy or international relations is required.

Language of instruction

​​​English ​​ 

Instructors

Invited experts from Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa, IOCAFRICA, WIOMSA and regional and international resource persons in ocean governance and science diplomacy. Names will be listed here once confirmed.

Course format and duration

This is a face-to-face training, running for four consecutive days onsite, 23 to 26 November 2026​, 8 hours per day​​ with a total duration of approximately 32 hours.     ​ 

Participants​ will​ also complete preparatory work before the course, including the science diplomacy case study submitted ​by the successful applicants two weeks before the training​​, and post-training assignments.

Organizers

This training course is jointly organzied by the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA), in collaboration with: the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, through IOC Sub-Commission for Africa and the Adjacent Island States (IOCAFRICA), the Ocean Decade Capacity Development Facility, and the OceanTeacher Global Academy; the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa (SD​f​CA); and the Sciences Sector of the UNESCO Office for Eastern Africa.

Learner assessment

Assessment is continuous and based on participation and applied work:

• Science diplomacy case study submitted ​after selection process​​, developed during the course and presented for peer and instructor review; and 
• Preparatory and post-training assignments. 

Evaluation/Certificate

To receive a Certificate of Completion, for each part of the training course, participants shall: 

• Fully attend to the in-person sessions
• Engage and complete every proposed training activity
• Successfully complete the report assignment
• Complete the mandatory pre- and post-assessment.
• Submit the required feedback form is mandatory. 

Technology requirements/computer skills

To follow this course, participants shall have:

• Access to a notebook computer/laptop, and should bring it to the course;
• Latest version of either Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari web browsers, with JavaScript and cookies enabled;
• Broadband internet access (minimum bandwidth of 0.5 Mbps (Receive and Send)
• Audio speakers or headphones
• Basic computer skills, such as finding resources through search engines and the ability to be self-directed in learning new technology skills (e.g. following a step-by-step tutorial, online video help, or access to support to learn necessary skills) 

Other Pre-requisites

Participants complete preparatory work before arrival, including the proposed science diplomacy​​ case study submitted ​after the selection process​​.

Application process

Applications are open from 03 to 21 September 2026 (23:59 EAT) to submitted through this online application form: [TO BE UPDATED SHORTLY].

Supporting documents are submitted as a single PDF: curriculum vitae of no more than three pages; letter of institutional support or nomination; and a copy of the passport biographical page where requested. Letters of institutional support may be emailed to secretary@wiomsa.org no later than 23 September 2026. 

Applications received by email, after the deadline, or missing required information are not considered. Only shortlisted or successful applicants are contacted and invited for an interview. 

A limited number of seats are available (approximately 30). 

UNESCO is committed to promoting equal access principles. Registration from minority or underrepresented groups is strongly encouraged.

Selection criteria 

Applications are assessed on:

• Relevance of the applicant's current role to ocean science, policy, diplomacy or regional cooperation.
• Quality and clarity of the applicant's motivation.
• Relevance of the proposed science diplomacy case study.
• Potential to apply and share the knowledge gained.
• Institutional support for the applicant's participation.
• Geographic, gender, professional and institutional diversity.
• Commitment to participate in the complete training programme. 

Eligibility is limited to individuals based in the WIO region and Namibia. Applications from women and early-career scientists are strongly encouraged.

Costs

This course has no tuition fees.

The organizers provide full sponsorship for accommodation and meals for the duration of the training for all selected participants. Selected participants are responsible for their own international and local travel costs. Applicants indicate at application whether they or their institution can cover travel expenses. 

Contacts

For additional questions, please contact the course coordinator Obakeng Moleku (obakeng@wiomsa.org ) or OTGA Secretariat (ioc.training@unesco.org) always using the name of the course as e-mail subject.

Cancellation policy

In the event of cancellation of the course by the OTGA or its affiliates, we will provide notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date. In the event of cancellation by the attendee, we should receive notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date.