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.
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
24 Oral presentations
21 Posters
1957 in-person participants (three editions)
+ 26753 online participants (2nd and 3rd edition edition)
5 funders in 1st edition
17 funders in 2nd edition
4 new donors in the 3rd edition
Schools covered by environmental education activities and exhibitions in three editions
Supported the event in three editions
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