One of the biggest lessons I learnt was that ocean governance is not only about laws, policies, and institutions. It is also about people and how they participate in decision-making, how competing interests are navigated, and how different forms of knowledge can lead to better outcomes. This was especially relevant to my work supporting collaboration and capacity development in the ocean space. The connections I made with professionals from different disciplines and countries underlined the need for stronger networks for knowledge exchange and regional cooperation.

At SAEON Egagasini, our work in ocean observations, marine biodiversity research and capacity development builds understanding of the marine environment, and this programme showed me how important it is to connect that knowledge with policy processes and the people who use it. Ultimately, effective ocean governance requires more than scientific evidence or sound policy alone. It requires people and institutions to work together to turn knowledge into meaningful action for a healthy and sustainable ocean.