Recognizing that the rich knowledge held by Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs) regarding coastal-marine ecosystems is often overlooked in Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), the MSPglobal initiative of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), together with the Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (LINKS) programme of UNESCO, co-organized four international dialogues aimed at discussing challenges and good practices related to fostering the engagement of IPLCs and embracing Indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) in MSP processes. These four rounds of participatory meetings entitled “MSPglobal 2.0 Dialogues on Engaging Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in Marine Spatial Planning” were held during the months of November and December of 2023 and involved 25 participants divided into two groups: Group 1 comprised mainly experts from Asia and the Pacific regions, and Group 2 comprised mainly experts from Africa and the Americas. The participants of the dialogues comprised representatives of research groups, MSP practitioners, governmental authorities, and a mix of Indigenous groups with experience in ocean management.This publication is a result of these dialogues and aims to support MSPglobal practitioners in engaging IPLCs and including ILK in MSP approaches. It also encourages co-management practices between governments and IPLCs at the local level and advocates for the development of MSP initiatives led by rights-holders, especially in areas where marine planning takes place within ancestral territories.

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