Inception Workshop of the BCLME IV project

The Inception Workshop of the BCLME IV Project was implemented from 26 to 28 November 2025.

It marked the official launch of the BCLME IV Project and aimed to ensure collective understanding, shared ownership, and effective coordination among the three participating countries, incluiding Angola, Namibia and South Africa, and all partners.

Objectives and results

The workshop sought to:

• Introduce the project within the framework of the updated BCLME Strategic Action Programme, highlighting its alignment with regional and national priorities, the GEF International Waters focal area, and the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework;
• Validate the five interlinked components: Integrated marine and coastal management and spatial planning; Sustainable and climate-resilient marine living resources and value chains; Pollution management and ecosystem health; Innovative Blue Economy finance mechanisms; and Knowledge management, communication, and upscaling of best practices.
• Clarify institutional, operational, and coordination arrangements between the BCC Secretariat, UNDP, UNCTAD, NNF, and national partners.
• Review and validate the Results Framework, Theory of Change, indicators, baselines, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plan, alongside the Gender Action Plan, Stakeholder Engagement Plan, and Social and Environmental Safeguards.
• Endorse the first Annual Work Plan (AWP) and Procurement Plan, ensuring coherence with co-financing commitments and implementation priorities.
• Strengthen regional political commitment to promote a climate-resilient Blue Economy across the Benguela Current region.
• Prepare for the first Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting to formalise adoption of the AWP and operational modalities.

The workshop objectives were successfully met, and the revised project document was submitted for final approval by the relevant institutions.