BACKGROUND

The global consensus to have a stand-alone ocean goal in the UN SDGs and subsequent initiatives particularly the launch of the Decade of Ocean Science has paved the way to larger interest and focus on coastal and ocean environment and strategic efforts to enable a sustainable blue economy. Building on proven best approaches to managing coastal and ocean areas, particularly on Integrated Coastal Management (ICM), and increasing importance of science-based knowledge, technologies, and innovations, the CCMRS and GEF/UNDP/PEMSEA ATSEA-2 Project joined hands to facilitate knowledge sharing through the organization of the 4^th International Conference on Integrated Coastal Management & Marine Biotechnology (ICMMBT).

Since 2016, the ICMMBT has grown into a recognized platform for promoting and sharing of information, experiences and know-how with a special focus on ICM. ICM has been recognized as the most effective approach to managing coastal and ocean areas integrally and holistically. Implementing ICM practices in many regions of the world has provided valuable lessons for stakeholders in marine and fisheries management. The successes and failures of ICM practices in various regions can serve as valuable learning experiences for stakeholders and enable replications in other areas.

Within the overarching objective and framework of sustainable blue economy, ICM as an integrated approach, complements well with various sustainable approaches and practices and has been applied to facilitate various aspects of sustainable coastal development including the following:

• Conservation of coastal and marine biological resources
• Responsible development of coastal industries, such as fisheries, tourism, and renewable energy
• Development of infrastructure and technology to support the utilization of coastal and marine resources.
• Establishment of policies and regulations that govern the sustainable use of coastal and marine resources.
• Involvement of local communities and the private sector in the management of coastal and marine resources
• Research and development to enhance understanding and innovation in coastal and marine management.

Under the blue economy framework, marine biotechnology (MBT) can also play a crucial role by utilizing the coastal and marine biological resource for producing useful goods and services for humans. Biotechnology can enhance the production of raw materials, such as food and pharmaceuticals, and aid in marine environmental restoration efforts. Thus, marine biotechnology can help improve the well-being of society and preserve marine resources for future generations.

With many good practices and innovations in ICM and marine biotechnology, the 4^th ICMMBT will be held to document their applications and contributions toward blue economy development. The ICMMBT is a biennial conference held since 2016, with the Center for Coastal and Marine Resources Studies (CCMRS), IPB University as the primary organizer.

To scale up the conference and reach out to more stakeholders, CCMRS will join effort with the Arafura and Timor Seas Ecosystem Action Phase II (ATSEA-2) Project[1] as the co-organizer for the 4^th ICMMBT. With one year left prior to the conclusion of the project and development of an updated 10-year Strategic Action Program (SAP), ATSEA-2 sees the conference as a key regional gathering to present key progress and achievements in implementing the current SAP and share the updated SAP, in preparation for the ATS Ministerial Event in 2024 to adopt the new SAP and the regional governance mechanism to support its implementation.

Coinciding with the global assessment and discussions on the mid-point of UN SDG implementation as well as the month of environmental awareness, the results of the conference are expected to provide scientific contributions and lessons learned to various stakeholders, including fishing communities, policymakers, practitioners, and researchers. The culmination of knowledge as well as regional support that will arise from the conference will also contribute towards achieving regional and international commitments and targets, including the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and Sustainable Development Goal 14 on Life below Water.
Lastly, the international conference is also expected to promote the achievement of world-class university (WCU) status for IPB University through quality and growing quantity of publications from IPB University researchers, lecturers, and students in reputable databases such as Scopus and 151 Web of Science (Thomson Reuters).

[1] ATSEA-2 is the 2^nd phase of the GEF-financed, UNDP and PEMSEA supported ATSEA program. This 5-year project is supporting the implementation of the following governance and environmental objectives of the Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) regional SAP (2014-2024): (i) Strengthening of ATS regional governance; (ii) Recovering and sustaining fisheries; (iii) Restoring degraded habitats for sustainable provision of ecosystem services; (iv) Reducing land-based and marine sources of pollution; (v) Protecting key marine species; and (vi) Adaptation to the impacts of climate change.

OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this activity are as follows:

• To provide a forum for lecturers, students, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners in the field of Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) and Marine Biotechnology (MBT) to meet and discuss research findings and practices in ICM and MBT;
• To present the latest scientific approaches, methodologies, tools, and technological advancements in the field of ICM and MBT in the face of global developments and particularly climate change;
• To enhance participants' understanding of ICM and MBT issues, both locally, regionally, and globally, and how researchers and practitioners present various appropriate solutions to address these issues;
• To establish regional and international cooperation/networks of lecturers, students, and researchers;
• To publish lecturers, students, and researchers' works in reputable databases such as Scopus and 151 Web of Science (Thomson Reuters);
• To share, highlight and document research and management initiatives that contribute toward the implementation of the Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) SAP and betterment of the ATS region, including sharing updated/new strategic and management plans that promote integrated and collaborative approaches for managing marine and coastal resources in the ATS region and gather feedback and support for their implementation from various stakeholders.
• To serve as a platform for setting future action/strategy and developing a way forward for the ATS region.
• This conference is part of efforts to address sustainable development challenges on the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and SDGs 2030 agenda.