Detailed program

Novotel Cotonou Orisha, Benin

11:00 AM11:15 AM

Flash presentations on programmes

Novotel Cotonou Orisha, Benin

11:15 AM11:45 AM

Roundtable with WIOMSA, IUCN regional office, WACA, WASOP (tbc), Arc X community

Novotel Cotonou Orisha, Benin

Welcome Coffee

Novotel Cotonou Orisha, Benin

Opening session

Welcome remarks from the host country, African Union, IOC-UNESCO, and DITTO Global leadership. Review of the workshop's vision.

Novotel Cotonou Orisha, Benin

9:30 AM10:15 AM

#1 - What is DITTO?

Global vision, foundational principles of the Ocean Decade, and lessons learned from early global implementation.

Novotel Cotonou Orisha, Benin

10:15 AM11:00 AM

#2 - Building a Digital Twin

Technical overview: observations, data streams, numerical models, AI/ML, visualization tools, and basic governance needs.

Novotel Cotonou Orisha, Benin

11:00 AM11:15 AM

Coffee Break & Networking

Novotel Cotonou Orisha, Benin

11:15 AM12:15 PM

#3 - Africa's Current Landscape

Present the results from OPERA scoping study on data infrastructures and DTO initiatives in Africa and OPERA's plans for the African DTO

Novotel Cotonou Orisha, Benin

12:15 PM12:30 PM

Breakout Introduction

Briefing on methodology, group assignments, and expected outcomes for the afternoon sessions.

Novotel Cotonou Orisha, Benin

12:30 PM1:30 PM

Lunch Break

Novotel Cotonou Orisha, Benin

Breakout Sessions: Part 1

Focus: Assessment & Prioritization - Group 1: Identify priority challenges and use cases. - Group 2: Inventory data and identify gaps. - Group 3: Map regional institutions and roles. - Group...

Novotel Cotonou Orisha, Benin

Coffee Break

Novotel Cotonou Orisha, Benin

Plenary Report-Back

Novotel Cotonou Orisha, Benin

Social dinner

Networking event

Novotel Cotonou Orisha, Benin

Welcome Coffee

Novotel Cotonou Orisha, Benin

Day 1 Recap and Day 2 Goals

Synthesis of Day 1 consensus and transition into the implementation planning phase.

Novotel Cotonou Orisha, Benin

9:15 AM10:00 AM

#4 - Technical Architecture

Deep dive into interoperability standards, FAIR data principles, and building sovereign, inclusive infrastructure.

Novotel Cotonou Orisha, Benin

10:00 AM10:45 AM

#5 - Governance Models

Exploring international examples of digital ocean governance, data sovereignty, and institutional partnerships.

Novotel Cotonou Orisha, Benin

10:45 AM11:15 AM

Coffee Break

Novotel Cotonou Orisha, Benin

11:15 AM12:00 PM

#6 - Funding & Sustainability

Strategies for resource mobilization, private-sector partnerships, and sustained investment.

Novotel Cotonou Orisha, Benin

12:00 PM1:00 PM

Lunch Break

Novotel Cotonou Orisha, Benin

Breakout Sessions: Part 2

Focus: Design & Roadmapping - Group 1: Develop 3–5 pilot project concepts. - Group 2: Draft foundational guidelines for the technical architecture roadmap. - Group 3: Propose an interim...

Novotel Cotonou Orisha, Benin

Coffee Break

Novotel Cotonou Orisha, Benin

#7 - Integration

Presentation of Day 2 outputs. Live synthesis of breakout outputs to outline the foundational draft of the African DITTO Implementation Framework.

Novotel Cotonou Orisha, Benin

Closing Session

Agreement on post-workshop task assignments, outlining the initial partnership plan, and closing remarks.