Developing blue skills, knowledge and abilities
The strength of the ASEAN Blue Economy is dependent on the people who work in, engage with and live within it. Significant challenges remain in ensuring that the region’s workforce is equipped to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving ocean-based economy. Across AMS, there is a widespread need to build capacity and upskill workers to respond to the digital, environmental, social, and economic transformations that lie ahead. This includes not only technical and vocational training but also the development of new competencies in areas such as marine science, sustainable resource management, and blue innovation.
A key barrier to progress is the limited exchange of knowledge and expertise across the region. Strengthening mechanisms for information sharing—between countries, sectors, and institutions—is essential. This includes fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors, as well as engaging with international initiatives such as the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, which offers valuable opportunities for research partnerships and capacity building.
There is also a pressing need to coordinate research efforts across ASEAN to address shared knowledge gaps and avoid duplication. Collaborative research agendas can help align national priorities with regional goals, while also attracting international support and investment.
Finally, supporting local and coastal communities to participate meaningfully in the blue economy is critical. This includes enabling community-led enterprises, supporting entrepreneurship in emerging blue sectors, engaging the community in relevant research activities, and ensuring that the benefits of blue economy growth are equitably distributed. Empowering these communities will not only strengthen social resilience but also unlock new sources of innovation and economic activity.
Opportunities for growth exist in the following priority sectors:
Developing blue skills, knowledge and abilities
The strength of the ASEAN Blue Economy is dependent on the people who work in, engage with and live within it. Significant challenges remain in ensuring that the region’s workforce is equipped to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving ocean-based economy. Across AMS, there is a widespread need to build capacity and upskill workers to respond to the digital, environmental, social, and economic transformations that lie ahead. This includes not only technical and vocational training but also the development of new competencies in areas such as marine science, sustainable resource management, and blue innovation.
A key barrier to progress is the limited exchange of knowledge and expertise across the region. Strengthening mechanisms for information sharing—between countries, sectors, and institutions—is essential. This includes fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors, as well as engaging with international initiatives such as the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, which offers valuable opportunities for research partnerships and capacity building.
There is also a pressing need to coordinate research efforts across ASEAN to address shared knowledge gaps and avoid duplication. Collaborative research agendas can help align national priorities with regional goals, while also attracting international support and investment.
Finally, supporting local and coastal communities to participate meaningfully in the blue economy is critical. This includes enabling community-led enterprises, supporting entrepreneurship in emerging blue sectors, engaging the community in relevant research activities, and ensuring that the benefits of blue economy growth are equitably distributed. Empowering these communities will not only strengthen social resilience but also unlock new sources of innovation and economic activity.
Opportunities for growth exist in the following priority sectors:
Priority activities & supporting initiatives
Inclusive Workforce Development
Deliver targeted education and training programs across all ASEAN member and partner countries to support learning and diverse workforce development at all stages of life. These programs should be inclusive and accessible, with particular attention to equitable participation by youth, women and marginalised communities.
Inclusive Enterprise Support
Support small-scale enterprises and community-based models in priority sectors, with targeted programs for women and youth to promote inclusive and equitable blue growth.
Innovation & Knowledge Hub
Establish an ASEAN Blue Innovation Network to drive collaborative research, technology development, and cross-country knowledge exchange, whilst positioning ASEAN within global ocean dialogues.
Ecosystem & Ocean Literacy
Improve ecosystem and ocean literacy across all stakeholder groups to strengthen compliance, safeguard natural capital and foster locally relevant innovation and stewardship.
