The first in‑person meeting of the IOCARIBE Marine Spatial Planning Task Team (MSP-TT), to be held in Santa Marta, Colombia on 11 May 2026, aims to formally convene MSP practitioners from IOCARIBE Member States for direct exchange, collaboration, and strategic coordination. This gathering seeks to strengthen regional understanding of the IOC mandates related to Marine Spatial Planning, and to present the current scope of MSP activities undertaken by IOCARIBE, and the UNDP/GEF/UNOPS Procaribe+ Project. By bringing participants together in person, the meeting intends to enhance dialogue, foster trust, and support the development of a cohesive community of practice in the wider Caribbean.

A second key objective is to provide a platform for MSP Task Team members to showcase national and regional MSP initiatives, share experiences, and identify common challenges and opportunities. The meeting will also review capacity‑development needs and discuss ongoing efforts to map training and support opportunities for MSP implementation.