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:

• Strengthen the science-policy interface by translating research into actionable recommendations that support regional frameworks such as the Nairobi Convention*, and global initiatives including SDG 14, the Global Biodiversity Framework, the BBNJ Treaty and the UN Decade of Ocean Science.
• Foster regional cooperation by creating spaces for dialogue and collaboration among scientists, policymakers, practitioners, and communities across the WIO region.
• Showcase innovations and best practices by presenting cutting-edge solutions, tools, and case studies that inform and inspire action at multiple levels.
• Promote inclusivity and diversity by engaging early-career researchers, multi-disciplinary practitioners, under-represented groups, and Indigenous and local communities, ensuring a rich and inclusive exchange of perspectives.
• Elevate WIO priorities on the global stage by positioning the region as a leader in ocean governance and contributing to international processes and dialogues.

We encourage all interested organisers to submit their proposals by 10 May 2025, and join us in shaping a dynamic and impactful Symposium.

1. Proposal Guidelines

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:

• Designing and curating the overall content and flow of the session.
• Identifying and inviting contributors and keynote speakers.
• Issuing a Call for Papers and proactively engaging potential contributors to ensure diverse, high-quality submissions.
• Reviewing and selecting all contributions to ensure relevance, rigour, and alignment with session objectives.
• Facilitating engaging discussions and capturing key insights and outcomes.
• Producing a comprehensive session report, including actionable science-policy recommendations for regional policy processes such as the WIO Science-Policy Dialogue and COP 12 of the Nairobi Convention*.

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:

• Open Sessions: Welcoming contributions from any participant, aligned with Symposium themes.
• Closed Sessions: Featuring pre-selected speakers, ideally from established networks.
• Interactive Workshops: Focusing on skills-building and collaborative learning.
• Roundtable Discussions: Facilitating open, thematic dialogues.
• Alternative Formats: Innovative formats are welcome and encouraged.

Note: Sessions should not be commercial in nature.

2. Submission Instructions

2.1 Proposal Document

Please submit a single PDF document (maximum 4 pages), following the provided template:

Template for Special Session Proposals – click here

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.

Special Session Rate Card – click here

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.

3. Key Dates

4. Inclusivity and Early-Career Participation

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.

5. Submission

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

1. Alignment with symposium theme
2. Alignment to regional/global priorities
3. Current/emerging science
4. Policy relevance
5. Demonstrated ability and willingness by proponents to pay requisite room hire fee

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.