Day 1: Emerging Blue Carbon Ecosystems

On the opening day of the meeting, participants from across the globe were welcomed by Najat Mokhtar, deputy director of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Following introductions by each nations representatives, participants presented on the topics of emerging blue carbon ecosystems (EBCEs). After several round table discussions, the group identified priority research areas in EBCEs, including improving our understanding of their: a) additionality, b) permanence, and c) co-benefits.

Day 2: Global Blue Carbon Database

On the second day of the technical meeting, the group discussed the options available for blue carbon data, and identified the Coastal Carbon Atlas (CCA) as an essential repository. It was highlighted how there is a need to incentivise funding and collaboration between the CCA and national repositories to centralise blue carbon data submission globally, and accelerate the pace of discovery in blue carbon ecosystems

Day 3: Capacity Building

On day three, the group discussed plans for capacity building within GO-BC. Several capacity building activities were discussed in line with GO-BC's aim to address Sustainable Development Goals 13, 14, and 17. Capacity building activities will boost blue carbon research, through developing standardised methodologies, increasing data availability, and building regional hubs and global networks.

Day 4: GO-BC Science Technical Working Group

On the last day of the meeting, the newly-formed science technical working group discussed the current state of BC research and took part in a priority questions exercise, with the goal of identifying the most pressing and unanswered questions in BC science. All participants submitted suggestions for this exercise, which were later grouped into themes, and distilled down to the 20 most pressing questions in BC science. These 'Priority Questions' are in the process of being turned into a paper which will help guide future research in traditional and emerging blue carbon ecosystems.