In 2024, UNDP Sri Lanka, with the support of its core partners embarked on a groundbreaking initiative to enhance marine spatial planning and investment in the country’s blue economy. Recognizing the immense potential of Sri Lanka’s coastal and marine resources, this initiative focused on consolidating marine spatial data, building institutional capacity, and laying the foundation for sustainable economic growth in the marine sector.

Transforming Marine Spatial Data for Better Decision-Making

For the first time in Sri Lanka, UNDP led a comprehensive data consolidation effort for Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), bringing together information from 35 government agencies. This effort bridged critical data gaps and enabled a more integrated approach to managing coastal and maritime resources. To further institutionalize this progress, a first of its kind Geographic Information System (GIS) Unit was established at the National Planning Department (NPD) within the Ministry of Finance. This repository now serves as a dedicated marine spatial data repository and a centralized platform, improving data accessibility, inter-agency coordination, and informed decision-making.

Building Institutional Capacity for Marine Spatial Planning

A key component of this initiative was strengthening the technical expertise of government officials in GIS. UNDP provided both basic and advanced GIS training to officers from NPD and other key stakeholder institutions. By equipping officials with critical spatial analysis skills, the project has enhanced Sri Lanka’s capacity to leverage geospatial data for effective marine planning and policy formulation.

Driving Investments in the Blue Economy

Beyond data mapping and consolidation, UNDP worked on an investible pipeline development for marine projects by compiling information on existing and proposed initiatives in the coastal and maritime sector. This exercise streamlined project planning and financing, ensuring that new investments align with national priorities.

A major milestone in this process was the initiation of the Blue Investment Opportunity Mapping Tool (BIOM), designed to equip local and foreign investors with information on blue investment opportunities, based on spatial information. By offering clear insights into marine resource availability, infrastructure needs, and conservation priorities, the BIOM tool unlocks investment opportunities across marine tourism, conservation financing, the boat building industry, renewable energy including offshore wind and solar, and other marine industries. The tool helps reduce transaction costs, mitigate investment risks, and attract sustainable financing for Sri Lanka’s blue economy.

The impact of these efforts has been significant:

• Enhanced Data Accessibility: Government agencies now have a centralized marine spatial data repository, ensuring better coordination and data-driven decision-making.
• Strengthened Institutional Capacity: GIS-trained officials are better equipped to utilize spatial data for marine planning, improving policy formulation and implementation.
• Increased Investment Potential: The BIOM tool provides essential spatial insights, making Sri Lanka’s marine sector more attractive to investors while streamlining project development.
• Facilitation of Blue Economy Growth: The initiative has created a structured approach for financing marine development and conservation projects, aligning with the government’s vision for sustainable economic expansion.
• Policy and Planning Impact: By providing a robust foundation for marine policy formulation and investment planning, the initiative supports long-term, fiscally responsible decision-making.

UNDP Core Partners

This transformative work would not have been possible without the financial support of UNDP’s core partners. This contribution played a crucial role in establishing essential data systems, training government officials, and fostering investment in the blue economy. These efforts have positioned Sri Lanka to effectively leverage its marine resources for both economic development and environmental conservation.

As Sri Lanka continues its journey toward a resilient and sustainable future, UNDP remains committed to supporting data-driven solutions that drive inclusive growth and protect the country’s rich marine ecosystems.