Macao Marine Science Study Selected for UN Project

The President of the Cultural Institute (IC) of Macau announced at a press conference that the future museum will become the 'first nuclear project' within the Integrated Tourism and Culture Zone. This facility is viewed as an important tool for developing the city's culture, as well as for adequately diversifying the economy and strengthening cultural exchange between China and the West.

Without disclosing the names of the global architectural bureaus invited to present their proposals, Leon Wai Man noted that out of ten selected companies, four are European, including one from Portugal. He specified that all teams have experience working on large-scale projects and museum construction; among the international participants are three from mainland China and three local ones.

In addition to Portugal, bureaus from Switzerland, England, and the Netherlands were invited. The official emphasized that the projects are expected to combine elements of Chinese culture with the language of modern architectural design, utilizing the advantages of the city's location and its humanistic heritage. She added that the conceptual idea has already been agreed upon with the National Museum of China, incorporating specific Chinese characteristics.

The presented concepts must harmoniously blend artistic and cultural components with practicality and sustainability, helping Macau create a cultural landmark appropriate to the city's status, the needs of museum activities, and international aesthetic standards.

Subsequently, specialists in urban planning, architecture, and museology, as well as representatives of government services, are planned to be involved in evaluating the proposals. Leon Wai Man explained that the budget assessment for this undertaking will only be possible after the winning project is selected.

The future museum will be located in the coastal area east of the Macau Tower, near Nam Wan and Sai Wan Lakes, and will cover approximately 100,000 square meters. The main building, spanning about 80,000 square meters, will include exhibition halls, collections, cultural exchange areas, and research spaces. In addition to this central structure, the project encompasses a commercial leisure and cultural tourism zone of about 20,000 square meters, an external green area, and underground parking.

The IC plans to select the project author this year, with the completion of the first phase targeted for 2029, allowing for partial opening while simultaneously commencing construction of the second phase. In this initial stage, the museum, which Leon Wai Man called the 'city's visiting halls,' will showcase the 'cultural history of Macau,' with a particular focus on Macau's history as an important hub of the Maritime Silk Road.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is increasingly implementing technological solutions, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and other developments in the field of 'blue technologies,' to protect marine ecosystems. These tools help monitor biodiversity, control the condition of coral reefs, and enhance coastal resilience across the country.

The issue of marine environment protection became a central theme of a two-day event organized by the Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority (DECCA) at the Grand Hyatt Dubai hotel. Experts discussed how technology can contribute to balancing economic growth with the preservation of fragile marine environments.

For the UAE, whose economy is closely linked to sectors such as shipping, coastal tourism, fishing, desalination, and offshore infrastructure, the development of blue technologies holds particular significance.

Khiba Alshehi, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment for Biodiversity, emphasized that conservation efforts must serve the interests of both nature and people. She stated: 'We protect the environment not only for our cities; we preserve it for our people. We must ensure that every step and all our actions create a living environment.'

Alshehi clarified that the UAE's approach is shifting towards integrating environmental protection with national development, rather than viewing conservation as something separate from economic growth. She noted that the country has a long-term biodiversity plan integrated into its national development policy, aimed at creating a foundation for economic growth while preserving the integrity of nature.

Furthermore, Alshehi reported on the UAE's progress in protecting areas critical for biodiversity, noting that 'the country has achieved a 98 percent level of protection for key biodiversity areas.'

Marine conservation is becoming a key area for investment, with projects focused on coral reef restoration, supporting fish stocks, and establishing nature reserves. 'When we look at our oceans and coasts, we fund numerous projects focused on key sites, including coral reef restoration. We also collaborate with fishermen and support efforts to protect fish stocks,' she said.

The UAE is also striving to make tourism more environmentally friendly. Alshehi mentioned the recently announced ecotourism policy, stating: 'We have just announced our ecotourism policy and are working on measures that will help support and protect the environment while ensuring the sustainability of human activity in the future.'

Technology is being applied not only within conservation projects. As a major transit hub, the UAE is strengthening its capabilities to detect and prevent illegal wildlife trade across its borders. Alshehi highlighted a significant increase in law enforcement capacity to identify and stop wildlife smuggling. 'Under the country's leadership, we have been able to increase our ability to detect and stop people attempting to illegally transport wildlife species by 40 times,' she noted, comparing this to the situation 15 years ago.

Anuradha Bhattacharya, Director for Oceans in the Middle East and North Africa region, believes that artificial intelligence (AI) is only part of a broader technological shift concerning the oceans. 'I think AI is probably one aspect of this, but the broader umbrella concept is blue technologies. When looking at blue technologies... there are different elements, and AI is one of the strongest factors contributing to this.'

Blue technologies encompass technologies used to understand, monitor, protect, and sustainably use the marine environment. These include sensors and satellites for ocean observation, underwater robotics, AI-based coral reef monitoring, sustainable aquaculture, offshore renewable energy, smart freight, and technologies supporting desalination and water resource management.

However, Bhattacharya warned that technologies developed elsewhere cannot simply be transplanted into the Persian Gulf without adaptation to local conditions. 'Solutions must be localized. Sometimes we see robotics companies offering reef monitoring solutions, and they don't even recognize UAE reefs as reefs because it is simply not trained that way. Therefore, a lot of localization is required.'

She added that AI is already being used to track, map natural disasters, and monitor ecosystems, and its potential in sectors like offshore energy and desalination can help reduce errors and increase efficiency. 'AI is widely used in terms of monitoring, but how we scale this... it requires collaboration between scientists, the private sector, and the government to define common priorities.'

Bhattacharya also reported that a large regional study is examining how technology can strengthen resilience across 19 countries and five key sectors: shipping and ports, offshore energy, coastal tourism, fisheries and aquaculture, and desalination and water supply. 'We are developing a comprehensive report on the blue economy for coastal resilience. It covers 19 countries, and we are studying five sectors.'

In the field of scientific competence development, one of the most complex tasks is not implementing programs, but measuring their sustainable impact. Annual reports often demonstrate impressive statistics on seminars held, early researchers trained, and certificates issued, reflecting the scope and immediate success of the program.

However, these indicators only superficially address the issue, as they do not reveal whether such investments lead to long-term scientific leadership and innovation. While recognizing the value of training seminars, research cruises, and mentorship initiatives is crucial, it must be understood that mere participation does not equate to genuine capacity building; it is only the initial stage of a much longer journey.

Unlike material infrastructure projects, human potential develops gradually and often does not yield immediate, measurable returns. Initial success may manifest in intangible aspects, such as increased confidence, expanded professional networks, and improved technical skills, which are difficult to incorporate into standard evaluation metrics. The challenge lies in recognizing the long-term benefits of these initial investments.

A prime example of this paradigm is the International Indian Ocean Expedition-2 (IIOE-2), which launched in 2017 aboard the South African research vessel (R/V) SA Agulhas II. This multinational scientific program aimed to deepen the understanding of the Indian Ocean and strengthen regional scientific capacity by significantly investing in early researchers from Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Egypt, and Nigeria.

Consider one participant who joined the IIOE-2 expedition as a young intern. At that time, his involvement was characterized by relatively modest investments: the opportunity to be on a research vessel, mentorship from experienced scientists, and exposure to collaborative oceanographic research. Ten years later, this individual returned to the sea as a cruise co-leader, organizing an international research mission. This story goes beyond personal achievement and illustrates successful capacity development.

This transition from intern to mentor, from participant to leader, and from beneficiary to benefactor is the essence of the capacity development narrative. The multiplier effect, where beneficiaries nurture future generations of scientists, remains one of the most underestimated outcomes. While programs often quantitatively assess the success of direct beneficiaries, they frequently overlook the long-term legacy these individuals will create in the scientific landscape.

As the global scientific community increasingly embraces equitable partnerships and locally led initiatives, it becomes critically important to rethink our understanding of capacity building. Participants are not passive recipients of education; they are potential leaders whose most significant contributions may emerge long after formal training concludes. Thus, investing in one young scientist is not just an investment in one person, but an investment in the future of oceanography.

Many of the most valuable results may only become apparent long after the program funding ceases. This is not a flaw, but rather an emphasis on the inherent strength of capacity building. Significant investments in people require patience. Just as a tree planted today will not provide shade tomorrow, a novice researcher embarking on their first voyage will not instantly change oceanography. However, with consistent support and mentorship, they may one day lead international expeditions, influence maritime policy, and inspire subsequent generations of scientists.

Ultimately, the pressing question should not be how many participants attended a seminar or completed a course, but how many today's interns will become tomorrow's scientific leaders. Experience may open a door, but true capacity building ensures that someone will eventually receive the key and then open that same door for those who follow.