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IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC)

Advancing knowledge and cooperation for a healthy ocean and prosperous society

A Milestone for Marine Spatial Planning in the Western Pacific

On 12 March 2025, a major step forward in sustainable ocean management was taken as Member States across the Western Pacific adopted the Regional Action Framework for Marine Spatial Planning (MSP). The decision made at the Fifteenth Intergovernmental Session of the IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific in Tokyo, Japan, marks a critical point in the region’s effort to balance economic development with ecosystem health.

The Western Pacific is one of the most densely populated and economically dynamic regions in the world, yet its marine ecosystems face mounting pressures. As a result of rapid development in the coastal areas, competing interests over sea space have led to marine habitat loss, biodiversity decline, and economic disruptions. MSP offers a strategic, science-based approach to establishing a more rational use of marine space among its users, ensuring a sustainable balance between environment protection and economic growth.
The newly adopted Regional Action Framework reflects the collective commitment of countries in the region to advancing MSP as a key tool or process for boosting a sustainable blue economy and fulfilling both national and international ocean-related commitments. The Framework outlines a strategic portfolio of enabling actions that the Sub-Commission, together with Member States in the region and international partners, will take to accelerate the MSP processes. The Framework prioritizes four key areas of action: Cooperation and collaboration, Knowledge support and capacity development, Stakeholder engagement and awareness, as well as Demonstration and good practices.

The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) has been at the forefront of Marine Spatial Planning since 2006, organizing international workshops, documenting and sharing the international MSP practices, developing technical guidance, and supporting capacity-building initiatives worldwide.
In 2018, IOC, in partnership with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE), launched MSPglobal, a global initiative aimed at developing and implementing international guidelines on Marine/Maritime Spatial Planning.
Several countries in the Western Pacific—including China, Indonesia, and South Korea—were among the early adopters of Marine Spatial Planning or Marine Functional Zoning. However, with escalating human activities and increasing demand for marine resources, there has been a growing urgency to accelerate MSP across the region.

In response to the growing demands, in 2022, the IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) launched a UN Ocean Decade Action-UN 21 to fast-track MSP process by enhancing international cooperation, providing technical and policy support, developing tailored tools, building capacity, and demonstrating best practices.

Since its inception, over 500 stakeholders—including policymakers, experts, planners, early-career ocean professionals (ECOPs), and local stakeholders from more than 20 countries and international organizations—have actively engaged in and contribute to the MSP efforts in the region.
With the adoption of this Regional Action Framework, the Western Pacific takes a decisive step toward strengthening marine governance, safeguarding biodiversity, and securing sustainable livelihoods and blue economy.

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