Virtual platform
Kuala Lumpur, 14 – 18 June 2021
The Centre for Coastal and Marine Environment MIMA successfully conducted a week-long inaugural virtual Training Programme on Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning (CMSP) for the Indian Ocean Region from 14 – 18 June 2021 under the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP), in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Malaysia. The programme was attended mainly by international participants from the targeted region including Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Kenya, as well as local representatives.
The programme’s goal was to share Malaysia’s experience and expertise with the MTCP recipient countries. In addition to MIMA internal resources, the programme included external resources and experts from the local academia, non-governmental organisations, and state governments, who shared their extensive knowledge and expertise on the actual implementation of CMSP on the ground with the participants.
The virtual training programme was officiated by Datuk Dr Sabirin Ja’afar, MIMA’s Director-General
Nur’ Amirah Mohamad, Assistant Secretary from the MFA International Cooperation and Development Section, welcomed all participants to the virtual training programme
The 5-day course included an overview of the CMSP planning process, identifying and assembling the enabling environment for a successful CMSP process; defining the area of focus for the process, developing and weighing management objectives; coastal and marine environment and resources management; identifying, characterising and managing stakeholders’ engagement; identifying areas of conflict and compatibility; and identifying and selecting management strategies for managing specific uses in the management area. This training introduced CMSP to participants to improve their skills for planning and effective decision-making through the application of CMSP.
During the training programme
Participants gained a better knowledge of the process of adopting and implementing CMSP techniques by learning more about the successful case studies of Malaysia’s CMSP. They were particularly interested in the success of CMSP application in the Semporna area of Sabah, and in the context of coastal management in the Terengganu coastal areas, as well as the specific species protection plan suggested in Malaysian waters in Johor. Participants were also given the chance to discuss their opinions on CMSP acceptance, implementation status, and plans in their various countries as part of the programme.
Case studies from different areas in Malaysia were discussed in detail during the programme
The participants were also given an opportunity to share their perspectives on the status and plan in their respective countries.
Capt. Mohamad Halim Ahmed, the Under Secretary of the Maritime Division of the Ministry of Transport (MoT) Malaysia delivered Closing Remarks at the completion of the programme. He wished the international participants the very best in managing related coastal and marine issues through the application of CMSP, and to keep the engagement going through the network established by the programme.
Capt. Mohamad Halim Ahmed from the Ministry of Transport (MoT) Malaysia during the Programme Closing
Overall, feedback received from participants was positive. The training managed to enhance participants’ competency and provide them with better insight on planning and effective decision-making through CMSP.
MIMA looks forward to playing a pivotal role in continued engagements, to better promote Malaysia’s success story through the application of CMSP, with another series of training scheduled at the end of July 2021.
