Overview: This one-month training programme provides an insight into global governance with a focus on regional Ocean governance frameworks, more particularly the Southeast Asian seas and the Indian Ocean. It will examine the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and related instruments addressing fisheries, marine pollution, conservation and biodiversity, climate change, maritime transport and shipping, marine scientific research, and activities in the Area, among other topics. 

The training will be delivered in-person at the Phuket Marine Biological Center, Phuket, Thailand, in English.  

Participants who successfully complete the training programme requirements will be awarded a certificate. 

Audience and Objectives: The objective of this training programme is to enhance the capacity of government officials, staff of partner organisations, and other stakeholders on governance by providing a holistic, cross-disciplinary introduction to UNCLOS and the relevant regional instruments, aiming at facilitating the development and implementation of national legal frameworks on governance with a view to achieving the sustainable development of blue economies, including by mobilising public and private financial resources for sustainable development.

This training programme is tailored for participants from Southeast Asia and Indian Ocean regions and consists of: (i) a daily lecture schedule and related field visits, and topic discussions; (ii) region specific reading materials; (iii) individual participant assignments; and (iv) weekly feedback and discussion sessions. It will be conducted in English.

A participant who has successfully completed the training will: 

• Understand the global governance system, including its application at regional, national and local scales in relation to biodiversity protection and related sustainable development opportunities, as well as capacity needs;
• Recognise the importance of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and related Treaties and instruments;
• Understand obligations and responsibilities of countries, how they concern the activities of governments, businesses, and community members, and how they can be implemented at the national and local levels to support biodiversity protection and the blue economy development;
• Be able to articulate global, regional and national instruments, organisational support, and practices relating to, for example, fisheries, marine pollution, marine biodiversity, and climate change;
• Be able to independently examine and assess cross-cutting issues in governance and participate in debates regarding emerging and contemporary issues in the field.

Who may apply?

The training is designed for coastal managers and practitioners. To be eligible, participants must meet all the following criteria:

• Be government officials, staff members of partner or collaborating organisations, or relevant stakeholders working directly on issues concerning governance, policy, fisheries, marine pollution, conservation and biodiversity, maritime transport and shipping, marine scientific research, activities in the Area, or related thematic areas;
• Be a national of, or have a direct working relationship with, a State in Southeast Asia or Indian Ocean;
• Demonstrate an interest in contributing to the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and other relevant instruments related to the Ocean;
• Have fluency or working proficiency in English. 

Applicants with a nominating letter from their employer will be given preferential consideration. Nomination letter can be found below.  

A number of scholarships covering training and accommodation on a half board basis are available for eligible participants. While some travel support is available, applicants who are able to provide their own travel costs will be given preferential consideration. 

Technical requirements: Participants are required to secure a working laptop or desktop computer. Basic computer skills are required to attend the workshop. While most of the presentations will be made in person by expert faculty, some of them will be given online.  

For more information or to be notified for any future training or are interested in supporting these initiatives, please contact IOI Thailand on the following email address: ioithailand2022@gmail.com 

Privacy Notice: To participate in this training program, the IOI will collect and process personal data pertaining to name, gender, nationality, contact details, job title, contact details, field of work, main issues at stake and the training expectations. Personal data and application materials of the admitted applicants will also be shared with workshop participants, facilitator and presenters. Selected participants will be required to send a 1 to 2 page CV and activity statement as part of their workshop assignment, which will be shared with other participants and the workshop facilitators and presenters. The pictures taken during the workshop might be used later by IOI for its reports, newsletters, blog posts, etc.  

IOI Thailand Training Programme General Information:  

• Offered by the IOI in Phuket, Thailand.
• Annual four-week course (first annual held over three weeks in 2016) residential training programme.
• Coverage of regional ocean governance issues with specific emphasis on the Southeast Asian Seas and Indian Ocean.
• The training programme theme is based on an integrated ocean governance approach following the principles established in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. It focuses on a holistic approach to ocean governance and the necessity to align practices to the evolving global environment in the light of advances in science and technology.
• The training programme focuses on an integrated, interdisciplinary, inter-regional, and cross-cultural approach. It applies legal, ethical, environmental and economic principles with the support of science and technology aimed at realistic ocean management and sustainable development. The training programme aims to establish bridges between science and engineering aimed at more adaptive management and policy making. It uses real-time observations with modelling/prediction methods to improve rapid assessments and sound decision-making.
• The full-time course consists of four (4) modules. Training includes field trips, and a number of simulation exercises and hands-on sessions.

2019 Training Programme