IMPAC6: Senegal will host the international congress on Marine Protected Areas in March 2027
For the first time in Africa, the sixth International Marine Protected Areas Congress will bring together governments, scientists, coastal communities, and blue economy stakeholders. Senegal calls for collective mobilization to welcome the global marine conservation community and accelerate ocean protection toward 2030 targets.
The event and its global relevance
From 22 to 27 March 2027, Senegal will host the sixth International Marine Protected Areas Congress, known globally as IMPAC6. It will be the first time that this major global gathering takes place on African soil, marking a historic milestone for the continent and for ocean governance.
The announcement was made by the Director of Community Marine Protected Areas, Colonel Momar Sow, who recalled that Senegal received the official approval to organize the Congress in 2023. He invited all stakeholders to dedicate their energy and mobilization to offer a meaningful and welcoming environment to the global community working on marine protected areas.
IMPAC is the leading international forum dedicated to marine protected areas. It convenes every four years and brings together policymakers, researchers, indigenous and coastal communities, civil society organizations, and private sector actors to exchange knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and define priorities for ocean conservation.
Previous editions and global momentum
Since its first edition in 2005, the International Marine Protected Areas Congress has progressively strengthened its role as a global reference platform for ocean protection.
Previous editions were hosted in Australia, the United States, France, Chile, and Canada. Each congress has contributed to advancing scientific understanding, governance models, and policy commitments related to marine protected areas, while reinforcing the link between biodiversity conservation, sustainable fisheries, and climate resilience.
The 2023 edition in Vancouver emphasized equity, indigenous leadership, financing mechanisms, and the acceleration of global protection commitments. The 2027 edition in Senegal is expected to further elevate the voice of Africa in global ocean governance discussions.
Marine protected areas in Senegal and across Africa
Senegal has shown significant progress in the development of marine protected areas. Since the establishment of the national Directorate of Marine Protected Areas in 2012, the country has expanded its network from seven marine protected areas to seventeen, with an eighteenth currently under preparation in the Fatick region.
Marine protected areas play a fundamental role in safeguarding marine biodiversity, protecting critical habitats, restoring fish stocks, and enhancing coastal resilience. In West Africa, where coastal communities strongly depend on fisheries for food security and livelihoods, effective marine protection is directly linked to economic stability and social cohesion.
Across the African continent, marine protected areas are increasingly recognized not only as conservation tools but also as instruments for sustainable development, blue economy strategies, and climate adaptation policies.
The 2030 target and the percentage of protected marine surface
A central reference framework for IMPAC6 will be the global commitment to protect at least 30 percent of the world’s ocean surface by 2030. This target, often referred to as the thirty by thirty goal, aims to significantly expand the coverage and effectiveness of marine protected areas worldwide.
Currently, global marine protected areas cover roughly 8 percent of the ocean, although the level of protection varies significantly. Reaching 30 percent by 2030 requires both expansion of designated areas and improvement in management effectiveness.
For African coastal states, including Senegal, this objective represents both a challenge and an opportunity. It calls for strengthened governance, inclusive management models, sustainable financing mechanisms, and regional cooperation frameworks.
A strategic opportunity for Africa
Hosting IMPAC6 positions Senegal as a continental leader in marine governance and reinforces Africa’s role in shaping the future of global ocean policy.
Beyond the congress itself, the event represents an opportunity to attract partnerships, technical cooperation, investments, and capacity-building initiatives. It also provides a platform to showcase African experiences in community-based marine management and to align them with international conservation standards.
For Blue Life Hub, the 2027 congress is not only a global event but a strategic moment to reflect on the role of marine protected areas within integrated blue economy models, sustainable fisheries management, and long-term ocean stewardship.
Senegal’s call for collective mobilization is therefore not only institutional. It is a call to action for all actors engaged in protecting marine ecosystems while ensuring inclusive and resilient coastal development.
https://iucn.org/sites/default/files/2024-12/roadmap-towards-impac6.pdf
IMPAC6: Senegal will host the international congress on Marine Protected Areas in March 2027
