The IORA Blue Carbon Hub, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism of Sri Lanka and the IORA Secretariat, hosted the Sixth Blue Carbon Hub Think Tank Symposium from 9–11 September 2025 in Negombo, Sri Lanka.

The symposium, themed “Towards Effective Restoration for Sustainable Management of Coastal Ecosystems and Enhanced Livelihoods,” aimed to advance collective understanding and capacity for the protection of blue carbon ecosystems that underpin climate action, resilience, and sustainable livelihoods.

The event brought together experts from 14 IORA Member States and 12 Dialogue Partners, who shared insights and strategies on restoring mangroves, seagrasses, and tidal marshes. Representatives from the IORA Secretariat and the Blue Carbon Hub emphasized that the rapid degradation of regional blue carbon ecosystems poses significant risks to biodiversity, coastal communities, and economic resilience. They called for urgent, community-driven actions to safeguard these critical carbon sinks, natural defences, and sources of livelihood.

The three-day event featured technical sessions, expert training, and community engagement activities focused on ecosystem restoration, sustainable livelihoods, and biodiversity compliance. Participants also visited Sri Lanka’s Anawilundawa Ramsar Sanctuary, where they observed on-ground mangrove restoration efforts and learned about Accelerated Natural Regeneration of Mangroves (ANRM) and other innovative methodologies.

The symposium concluded with a call for enhanced regional cooperation, recommending that IORA Member States strengthen restoration efforts through a regional action plan, capacity-building initiatives, and community-led approaches to ensure the long-term sustainability of coastal ecosystems across the Indian Ocean region.