Over the past 20 years, Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) has gained considerable importance all around the world. Various countries/territories have started to use MSP to achieve a sustainable use of their marine space, including the goal of developing a “Sustainable Blue Economy”, and biodiversity conservation in ocean and coastal areas. By the end of 2023, UNESCO-IOC identified 126 countries/territories engaged in MSP initiatives, ranging from early stages (establishment of a pilot and an MSP working group) to plan revisions and adaptation.
Initially, the concept of MSP – and one of its primary tools, ocean zoning – was stimulated by international and national government and non-governmental interests in developing marine protected areas. More recent attention has been placed on planning and managing multiple uses of marine space, particularly in areas where use conflicts are already well known and specified. In different places, MSP concepts are being used as a first step to make ecosystem-based management a reality.
For a general overview of the status of MSP around the world, access below the chapter on MSP in the IOC’s State of the Ocean Report (StOR).
Click below to discover our country profiles from around the world!
Disclaimer: The information on the country profiles does not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNESCO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Links to other sites are provided for information only.
For a list of past and ongoing cross-border and transboundary MSP initiatives, click here to access the MSPglobal compendium.