Beira, located in Sofala Province, will host the 3rd Mozambique Marine Biodiversity Conference (CBM) on September 3–4, under the theme: “Science, Art and Culture for Marine and Coastal Life in Mozambique.” Organized by the Biodiversity Conservation Fund (BIOFUND) in partnership with various national and international institutions, the event will also feature a seven-day public exhibition at Chivebo Green Structures Park, chosen to leave a lasting legacy for the city.
Since 2023, the CBM has become a national platform for marine and coastal conservation, bringing together government, scientific community, civil society, private sector, and youth for debates, scientific presentations, and awareness initiatives. The goal is to highlight the importance of coastal and marine biodiversity through knowledge sharing and to create synergies among stakeholders operating in this field.
A Platform Connecting Science, Policy, and Communities
At the conference launch press briefing, BIOFUND—a private, non-profit national institution of public utility—emphasized that the event aims to strengthen the link between science, public policy, and communities. Alexandra Jorge, BIOFUND Program Director, noted that the initiative “is a collective effort we hope will translate into concrete actions on the ground, from environmental education to strengthening partnerships.”
BIOFUND, created in 2011 and publicly presented in 2015, has always sought to promote knowledge-sharing spaces on biodiversity. “We started exhibitions in several provinces, but the pandemic forced a pause. We are now resuming with a more complex model, combining a scientific conference with public exhibitions, allowing not only policy debates but also citizen engagement,” she added.
The first CBM in Maputo had around 400 participants, while the second in Nacala, Nampula Province, drew 700 in-person participants and 6,000 online. BIOFUND reports continuous growth in both participant numbers and the diversity of actors involved.
Previous editions led to the creation of permanent working groups and partnerships between local communities, government, and the private sector. Introducing academia through scientific presentations was highlighted as a significant gain, allowing master’s and PhD students to showcase their research outside academic circles. Due to increased research output, parallel sessions will be held this year, giving greater visibility to scientific work in Mozambique and strengthening the knowledge base for policy guidance.
Government Highlights Strategic Importance of Marine Resources
The Mozambican government considers the conference a priority initiative. Felismina Antia, National Director for Maritime Affairs, stated that the event “addresses a strategic matter: marine resources.” She highlighted Mozambique’s extensive coastline, the second richest in biodiversity in the Western Indian Ocean, and emphasized the challenge of balancing economic development with environmental conservation.
“The government is responsible for implementing policies and strategies but relies on these partnerships to ensure actions on the ground. This conference allows the involvement of society, communities, and the private sector to understand the importance of marine biodiversity,” she said.
World Bank Urges Greater Focus on Marine Conservation
As a long-time funder, the World Bank views the event as helping to correct a historic imbalance, where investments were concentrated on terrestrial areas. Manuel Mutimucuio, natural resource management specialist, noted: “Marine biodiversity has historically received little support. Initiatives like this increase its profile and show that conservation is not just about protecting nature but also generating wealth for local communities.”
He emphasized the conference’s scientific and exhibition components, enabling public sharing of knowledge. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), a partner, highlighted links to ongoing projects. Lead coral reef scientist Erwan Sola explained that the conference aims to promote debates and science on marine biodiversity. The CBM has grown exponentially since its inception, initially connected to the Blue Future Project, funded by the Blue Action Fund, which seeks to establish a new marine conservation area in Nampula.
Costs and Funding
The event’s financial scale has increased significantly: the first edition had a budget of USD 28,000, the second USD 280,000 (ten times more), and this year’s costs are expected to be higher due to more activities and participants. BIOFUND emphasized that the conference is supported by an increasing number of funders and technical partners, not just financially but also logistically and institutionally.
Beira was chosen not only for logistical reasons but also symbolically. The Chivebo Green Structures Park, hosting the exhibition, exemplifies mangrove preservation in an urban setting, combining environmental conservation, leisure, and education. Part of the materials produced for the conference will remain permanently at the park to enhance local environmental education.
The CBM has now established itself as a calendar event, expected to continue annually at least until 2028. For BIOFUND, the objective is clear: turn scientific knowledge and institutional dialogue into effective public policies and concrete actions.
“The more institutions, communities, and companies involved, the greater the impact. The conference is an opportunity for sharing and for continuing ongoing initiatives. In Nacala, for instance, several private-sector projects continued after the event, showing this is not just a one-off meeting but a process with practical results,” the Foundation emphasized.
Text: Nário Sixpene
