These monthly dialogues provide a platform for experts, policymakers, and practitioners in South and Southeast Asia to align efforts in the region on ocean data, finance, and governance for a more sustainable and equitable ocean future. Organised by Universiti Malaysia Terengganu and UNSW CSDR.
Marine ecosystems globally are under growing pressure. Sustainable ocean development and management does not adhere to borders. Regional collaboration is essential.
The monthly Ocean Data Regional Dialogues provide a platform for experts, policymakers, and practitioners in South and Southeast Asia to align efforts in the region on ocean data, finance, and governance for a more sustainable and equitable ocean future. By connecting national strategies with regional priorities and global commitments, the dialogues strengthen cooperation in the region.
The regional dialogues are a multi-country initiative co-led by the Blue Economy Advancement Centre at the Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT-BEACON) and the UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform, with support from the Global Ocean Accounts Partnership (GOAP).
This session explored how South, Southeast Asia and the Pacific regions can move beyond fragmented circular economy initiatives toward inclusive, investable, and scalable transitions. Regional experts discussed practical pathways to embed circular economy principles into municipal systems, identified viable business and investment models, and suggested ways to ensure transitions protect and empower informal-sector workers.
Guests speakers: Dr Premakumara, Director of the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies Centre Collaborating with UNEP on Environmental Technologies and Dr Kesaven, Professor, Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.
This session highlighted how social and cultural dimensions can be systematically integrated into ocean governance. The conversation explored strategies for embedding community voices, non-market values, and equity considerations into ocean accounts and decision-making.
South and Southeast Asia are facing a dual challenge: surging energy demand and a growing need for decarbonisation. The region’s vast ocean territories hold enormous potential to meet these needs through marine renewable energy (MRE)—from offshore wind and tidal energy to wave and ocean thermal systems. In fact, South & Southeast Asia’s oceans could generate 2,000+ GW of clean power — enough to meet projected 2050 electricity demand and create millions of jobs.
This session highlights the potential of renewable energy in the region, the urgency and elements that will be essential to a just, transparent and inclusive transition.
This session spotlights real-world country experiences in embedding ocean accounts into governance systems, exploring how pilot findings are being translated into national legislation, integrated into development planning, and used to inform sustainable financing strategies.
Key insights from our expert panel: 🇮🇩 Indonesia - Dr Muh. Firdaus Agung shared how ocean governance and plastic waste accounts are informing circular economy roadmaps and environmental policy integration 🇵🇭 Philippines - Mary Jane Magturo-Dela Rosa outlined the groundbreaking 2024 PENCAS law and its approach to institutionalising natural capital accounts 🇲🇾 Malaysia - Assoc. Prof. Dr Hazman Samsudin discussed aligning ocean data with the Blue Economy Blueprint to support blue financing instruments.
This interactive session will feature expert speakers and breakout sessions to share lessons learnt, challenges and solutions in data sharing and governance.
Participants unpacked how data standardisation, ethical frameworks, and institutional collaboration can transform ocean governance across our region. This session brought together experts and practitioners from Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Australia, among others. Thank you to speakers Dr Ben Milligan, Director at UNSW CSDR and the GOAP Secretariat, and Prof Dato Nor Aieni Mokhtar, Distinguished Research Fellow, Institute of Oceanography and Environment at UMT.
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