The Marine Biodiversity Conference (CBM), led by BIOFUND as part of a commitment within the Blue Future project, led by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and funded by the Blue Action Fund (BAF). This is an event inspired by previous models of conferences and exhibitions on BIOFUND’s biodiversity. The CBM is held on an annual basis, having started in 2023.
This Conference establishes a platform for synergies and experiences on coastal and marine biodiversity conservation, where government, civil society, local communities, academia and the private sector can debate and exchange experiences on the expansion and management of marine conservation areas, management based on marine ecosystems and the contribution of science, art and culture to the valorization of our country’s coastal and marine biodiversity.
The Marine Biodiversity Conference has as its main objective to create synergies with various marine and coastal conservation initiatives in the country, knowledge sharing from local communities and other key actors, and to inspire young Mozambicans. These actions are carried out with the following specific objectives:
Disseminate, discuss and exchange experiences on ecosystem-based adaptation
Promote the exchange of technical-scientific knowledge and experiences on marine conservation and marine protected areas in Mozambique
Raise awareness on the importance of coastal and marine biodiversity.
The 4th edition of the Marine Biodiversity Conference (MBC), held on 11–12 June 2026 in Maputo, reaffirmed its role as a national reference platform for scientific and technical knowledge-sharing, multi-stakeholder dialogue, and experience-sharing on the conservation of marine and coastal biodiversity in Mozambique. Integrated into the 3rd Blue Growth Conference, the 4th MBC maintained its own identity, focused on ecosystems, species, habitats, marine conservation areas, coastal communities, scientific research and environmental education.
The event took place at Hotel Glória and brought together more than 760 in-person participants, including representatives from Government, researchers, coastal communities, academic and research institutions, civil society organizations, the private sector, and development partners. The conference featured 82 scientific presentations and discussion sessions across one plenary room and four parallel rooms, fostering an integrated approach that strengthened the connection between scientific knowledge, public policy, financing, community governance, and collective action.
Discussions focused on key priorities for the sustainable management of marine and coastal ecosystems, including shared marine resources, biological connectivity, marine megafauna conservation, nature-based solutions, community governance, sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, ecosystem restoration, coastal habitat conservation and environmental education. The central message was clear: there is no sustainable Blue Economy without healthy marine biodiversity.
The conference highlighted the growing commitment of diverse stakeholders to biodiversity conservation, the value of scientific knowledge, the engagement of coastal communities and the development of joint solutions for the future of Mozambique’s oceans.
As part of the 4th Marine Biodiversity Conference programme, from 13 to 17 June 2026, the Museus do Mar in Maputo hosted the Marine Biodiversity Exhibition and a series of environmental education activities designed to bring the public, especially children and young people, closer to the richness and importance of Mozambique’s marine and coastal ecosystems.
The programme included recycling workshops, immersive 3D virtual reality experiences , educational materials, photographs, and guided visits to the exhibition, providing an interactive and accessible learning experience.
Over five days, the exhibition welcomed 340 visitors, including 208 students from eight schools in Maputo Province who participated in environmental education workshops. The initiative reinforced the conference’s commitment to promoting ocean literacy, youth participation and the transformation of knowledge into concrete attitudes for the conservation of marine biodiversity.
From 3 to 9 September 2025, the city of Beira hosted the 3rd edition of the Marine Biodiversity Conference, officially opened by the President of the Republic of Mozambique, His Excellency Daniel Francisco Chapo. Led by BIOFUND, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries, together with several partners and donors, the event has established itself as the country’s main platform for dialogue on marine and coastal conservation.
From 5 to 9 September 2025, the Marine Biodiversity Exhibition presented a diverse and interactive program that included screenings of educational videos, 3D virtual reality experiences of the marine environment, creative recycling and “Superhero” workshops, poetry recitals, and guided tours. A total of 15 public and private schools from Sofala Province took part in the exhibition. In total, 1,011 participants attended, including 501 females and 510 males, among students, teachers, local visitors, and institutional representatives. The initiative provided an immersive and educational environment that highlighted the importance of innovation, awareness, and community participation in the conservation of marine and coastal ecosystems.
After the 1st edition of the MBC in Maputo city, Nacala-Porto city hosted the second edition of this emblematic event, from the 17th to the 23rd June 2024. The choice of this coastal area was due to its great relevance for biodiversity and the high concentration of projects related to the conference themes. The event created space for the presentation and debate of results from current scientific work in the field of coastal and marine conservation, exchange of experiences on Ecosystem-Based Adaptation, Marine Conservation Areas, Marine and Coastal Biodiversity and Environmental Education.
The event was attended by 793 people in person and 6000 online participants from different provinces of Mozambique as well as international participants, including the United States of America, Germany, Panama, Kenya and others.
For more details about the event, in the Relevant Documents section, there is a link to access the report on the 2nd edition of this event.
Between June 19 and 23, 2024, the Marine Biodiversity Conference exhibited various materials on marine biodiversity composed of informative panels about marine habitats and species, photographs, 3D experience of the marine environment, scientific summaries and recycling workshops, having reached 726 visitors from Nampula Province, with emphasis on 4 coastal districts, especially Nacala-Porto city. Of these visitors, 548 werre young students from 20 schools, of which 271 young people from 9 public schools in the districts of Nacala-Porto, Mozambique Island, Memba and Mossuril benefited from recycling workshops and environmental awareness sessions about individual and collective roles in the conservation of marine and coastal resources among other important aspects.
The 1st edition of the MBC took place from 27th July to 2nd August 2023, at Museums of the Sea in Maputo City. Three thematic areas were covered, namely (i.) expansion and management of marine conservation areas, (ii.) management based on marine ecosystems and (iii.) the contribution of science, art and culture to the valorization of our country’s coastal and marine biodiversity. More than 30 facilitators and speakers participated in the event, and more than 400 people of various age groups and sectors involved in the conservation of coastal and marine biodiversity in Mozambique attended in person. Among the various consensuses of the speakers, the relevance of maintaining this platform stood out, at a time when economic development often causes irreversible impacts on biodiversity and as a nation, we must actively contribute to achieving national biodiversity conservation goals.
More details about the 1st Edition of the Marine Biodiversity Conference: Here
From 27 July to 02 August 2023, the Museu do Mar hosted the marine biodiversity exhibition consisting of information panels on marine habitats and species, photographs, a 3D experience of the marine environment and recycling workshops engaging 85 primary school pupils from Maputo City and Katembe.
See the photographic record of these exhibition and environmental education activities.
Ecosystem-based adaptation
Marine Conservation Areas
Coastal and marine biodiversity
Environmental Education
In the three editions of the conference
68 Oral presentations
59 Scientific posters
2719 in-person participants (four editions)
+ 29420 online participants from the 2nd to the 4th edition
5 funders in the 1st edition
17 funders in the 2nd edition
21 funders in the 3rd edition
7 funders in the 4th edition
Schools covered by environmental education activities and exhibitions in three editions
Supported the event in four editions
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