Consórcio Sudeste Azul begins marine spatial planning activities led by FGV
Consórcio Sudeste Azul initiates a technical-institutional dialogue with governments, the scientific community, and productive sectors to develop the Marine Spatial Planning (PEM) for the region
Consórcio Sudeste Azul, formed by the Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV) and EnvironPact, is conducting regional launch events for the Marine Spatial Planning of the Southeast Region (PEM-SE), marking the start of project activities in the states of Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo.
The purpose of these meetings was to signify the beginning of the project's actions in each state and to consolidate technical-institutional alignment with state and municipal governments, in addition to representatives from strategic sectors invited to join the process. The scope, timeline, and proposed methodology for the project's development were also presented.
Luiz Carlos Duque, executive director of FGV Projetos, represented FGV at the openings held in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, emphasizing the strategic role of the Foundation in the development of public policies aimed at the country's sustainable future:
“FGV's mission is the economic and social development of the country, and in fulfilling this mission, we have the opportunity not only to prepare future generations but also to engage in public policy. We are pleased to participate in the PEM. This project will allow Brazil to build a relationship with the sea focused on a brighter future, laying the foundations for truly sustainable development.”
The first launch took place in Brasília at the beginning of October during a closed meeting at the SECIRM headquarters, attended by José Pizzorno and André Beirão, who share the technical coordination of the project, and Sérgio Gustavo Costa, project management coordinator.
The regional launches, which were open to the public, occurred in:
- Vitória (ES) — October 15, at the Capitania dos Portos;
- Rio de Janeiro (RJ) — October 23, at the Centro Cultural FGV;
- São Paulo (SP) — October 28, at the Auditório 9 de Julho at FGV.
José Pizzorno underlined the significance of a participatory and collaborative process: “We need inclusive and transparent participation. This exchange will occur in three phases: the first is sharing information about the project; the second focuses on training and capacity building regarding the objectives of the PEM; and the third, at the end of the process, will be a moment for negotiation and adjustment of all the collected information — the foundation for the future marine management plan.”
André Beirão emphasized the global dimension of the topic and the environmental responsibility of the country: “The sea is on the global agenda. We are in the Ocean Science Decade, and humanity has finally realized that life does not exist if the sea is not cared for. We need to use the sea not merely as a roadway, but to recognize it as a rich ecosystem that needs preservation.”
The project management coordinator, Sérgio Gustavo Costa, reinforced the integrative dimension of the PEM and the relevance of the launch events: “The PEM is a significant technical effort, but it cannot succeed without support and participation, as it is essential to seek information and listen. When we organized the launches, we understood it was necessary to offer an initial glimpse of what listening means — that’s why we brought together representatives from productive areas, traditional peoples and communities, government, and academia.”
The ceremonies brought together representatives from federal, state, and municipal governments, as well as naval authorities, researchers, traditional communities, and representatives of the productive sector.
The three events attracted more than 400 in-person participants and 250 online views, broadcast live on FGV's YouTube channel.
Full recordings of the meetings are available on FGV's YouTube channel:
About PEM
Marine Spatial Planning (PEM) is a public tool that organizes the use of the sea and the interactions between different human activities in marine space. The objective is to reconcile economic and social development with the protection of marine ecosystems, seeking a sustainable model for the occupation of the Blue Amazon.
Coordinated by the Brazilian Navy through the Interministerial Commission for Marine Resources (SECIRM) and the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MMA), the project receives financial support from BNDES and Funbio. The initiative is part of Brazil's commitment made during the UN Ocean Conference (2017), which aims to map and manage coastal and marine regions of the country by 2030.
The preparation of the PEM is conducted regionally, with projects divided among the South, Southeast, Northeast, and North regions so that the plan reflects the environmental, social, and economic specificities of each area.
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