Regional State of the Coast Report: Western Indian Ocean - A Summary for Policy Makers

This summary for policymakers outlines the key messages of the Regional State of Coast Report for the Western Indian Ocean, highlighting the region’s considerable economic potential and the increasing demand for marine ecosystem goods and services driven by population growth. It describes the pace and scale of environmental change affecting coastal and marine ecosystems and emphasises the need to avoid serious degradation in one of the world’s most biodiverse ocean regions. The summary also presents exploratory future scenarios and policy analysis to support anticipatory planning, evidence-informed decision-making, and the sustainable management of coastal and marine resources across the Western Indian Ocean region.