Dr. Inga Mangisi-Mafileo is a seasoned expert in ocean governance, marine spatial planning, and environmental policy, with over a decade of experience advancing integrated ocean management in the Pacific region. She currently serves as Senior Advisor for Ocean Governance Policy and Planning under Tonga’s Ministry of MEIDECC, where she leads the development and coordination of national ocean policies, legislation, and planning frameworks aligned with regional and global commitments.
Prior to this role, Dr. Mangisi-Mafileo was the Ocean Governance Lead for the Oceans7 Secretariat (2023–2025), where she oversaw the implementation of Tonga’s Ocean Management Plan and facilitated cross-sectoral collaboration on sustainable blue economy strategies, compliance, and marine spatial planning (MSP). Her leadership also guided national consultations across Tonga’s island groups and supported the delivery of workshops, technical reports, and national awareness campaigns.
From 2022 to 2023, she served as the Marine Spatial Planning Advisor to the Oceans7 Secretariat, playing a pivotal role in launching Tonga’s Ocean Management Plan and advancing stakeholder engagement on MSP, ocean policy, and sustainable development initiatives.
Dr. Mangisi-Mafileo has also contributed to global conservation efforts through her roles on the GEF UNESCO-IOC IW:LEARN Project Steering Committee (2020–2022) and the Informal Advisory Committee on Communications, Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (2016–2022). In these capacities, she advised on biodiversity outreach strategies, education for sustainable development, and behaviour change approaches, helping shape international biodiversity communication and awareness efforts.
Her work reflects a deep commitment to integrated, inclusive, and science-based ocean governance in the Pacific, and she continues to champion collaborative action to protect marine ecosystems while supporting sustainable ocean-based livelihoods.
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