In their welcome statements, keynote speakers celebrated the history and achievements of the LME community, first established by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in 1984. They stressed the need to connect LMEs with global and regional environmental efforts, maintaining a network of leaders committed to marine ecosystem management.

Working as a discussion forum, with participants reporting on the highlights of the implementation of LME projects funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), projects shared their latest best practices and achievements. In the umbrella session on opportunities and challenges for advancing LMEs, experts discussed how to leverage science and innovation, also through the opportunity for LME projects to become endorsed by the Decade for Ocean Science (2021-2023). The meeting was informed about the update of the annotated LME bibliography, spearheaded by Dr. Kenneth Sherman covering the period 2017 to 2023 that will be available soon. Participants gained valuable insights into the role of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP) in providing advice to and screening projects and programmes, making sure that the scientific aspects of LMEs are robust, relevant and take up the latest from the scientific world. The lead GEF agencies of the GEF-8 Integrated Programmes (IPs) provided updates on three key programs: Clean and Healthy Ocean, Blue and Green Islands, and Circular Solutions to Plastic Pollution, inviting participants to explore closer coordination and contributions from LME partners. This year’s meeting also hosted a suite of innovators from the Ocean Innovation Challenge (OIC) of UNDP, who presented unique approaches to solving ocean challenges.

The discussion on integrated approaches reinforced the critical need for cross-sectoral coordination, particularly from source-to-sea, in collaboration with coastal river basin organizations (RBOs). It confirmed that the scope of the International Waters (IW) focal area of GEF necessitates a multi-dimensional integrated approach, both horizontally (national coordination) and vertically (from national to regional levels). A dedicated session explored the role of LMEs in conserving Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJs), showcasing the importance of connectivity within and beyond ABNJs and the jurisdictional responsibilities facilitated through intergovernmental agreements, involving entities such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Seabed Authority (ISA), the Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs), and the Regional Seas Programmes (RSPs). The scale of LMEs and regional seas is particularly well-suited for fostering environmental diplomacy, ensuring effective and coordinated conservation efforts.

Plenary sessions were complemented by interactive break-out group discussions that revolved around important topics, such as updating the LME concept and strategy, the future of science in LMEs, and the update of the transboundary diagnostic analysis/strategic action plan (TDA/SAP) methodology. The meeting concluded with a focus on sustaining the results and impacts of LME projects. Participants discussed how to ensure ongoing benefits and shared their plans for upcoming events like the 10th International Waters Conference (IWC10) and the United Nations Ocean Conference 2025 (UNOC2025). The meeting announced that the next LME24 gathering will be held in Athens in July 2025. 

Participants were invited to join the Data and Information Management (DIM) workshop (5 June 2024 afternoon), held back-to-back to the LME23 meeting, for more in-depth discussions and decisions on how to support the LME portfolio on aspects related to DIM.