The WIOMSA Symposium Organising Committee is pleased to invite proposals for Special Sessions at the upcoming 13th WIOMSA Scientific Symposium, to be held from 28 September to 3 October 2025 in Mombasa, Kenya.
Special Sessions offer a dynamic platform for researchers, policymakers, science advisors, practitioners, and community representatives to share ongoing initiatives and explore emerging and critical topics in ocean science, governance, and management.
As a Special Session organiser, you will have the opportunity to:
We encourage all interested organisers to submit their proposals by 10 May 2025, and join us in shaping a dynamic and impactful Symposium.
1.1 Topics and Relevance
Proposals should address timely and significant themes related to ocean science, governance, and management and demonstrate how these are aligned to regional priorities. Sessions must be coherent, relevant, and designed to generate insights that inform science, policy, and action at both regional and global levels.
1.2 Organisation and Responsibilities
Session organisers are expected to take an active leadership role by:
1.3 Private Sector and Industry Participation
We strongly encourage submissions from the private sector and industry, both as session organisers and contributors, to promote cross-sectoral collaboration.
1.4 Session Format Options
To encourage engagement, sessions can adopt various formats, including:
Note: Sessions should not be commercial in nature.
2.1 Proposal Document
Please submit a single PDF document (maximum 4 pages), following the provided template:
2.2 Venue and Costs
Special Sessions will be hosted at the Symposium venue. Organisers should note that room hire fees apply, based on session length and room capacity. Refer to the Special Session Rate Card for details.
2.3 Review and Notification
Proposals will be evaluated by the Symposium Organising Committee for quality, relevance, and coherence. Accepted proposals will be assigned a Special Session identifier (e.g., Spes-01, Spes-02) and will receive further guidance.
Milestone | Date |
---|---|
Call for Proposals Opens | 10 April 2025 |
Proposal Submission Deadline | 10 May 2025 |
Notification of Acceptance | By 30 May 2025 |
Confirmation by Organisers | By 15 June 2025 |
Venue Allocation and Payment | By 30 August 2025 |
Special Sessions Date | 3 October 2025 |
We particularly welcome proposals from early-career researchers, postdoctoral scholars, and interdisciplinary teams. Proposals that integrate diverse perspectives across disciplines, sectors, and regions are strongly encouraged, in line with WIOMSA’s commitment to inclusivity and international collaboration.
Please submit your proposal to: secretary@wiomsa.org
Subject line: Special Session Proposal – [Your Session Title]
For any queries or to discuss your ideas prior to submission, please contact us at secretary@wiomsa.org.
We look forward to receiving your innovative proposals and working together to deliver a vibrant and impactful Symposium!
Special Sessions Evaluation Criteria
Note: Special Sessions are strongly encouraged to align their objectives with the Western Indian Ocean Science-Policy Dialogue, which directly informs the Nairobi Convention COP processes. COP 12, anticipated in 2026, will consider key science-policy recommendations emerging from this Dialogue. We invite session organisers to design their sessions to produce actionable, well-documented recommendations that can be elevated to the regional policy platform and considered at COP 12. This is a unique opportunity to ensure your session outcomes contribute to shaping the future of ocean governance in the WIO region.