1) Marine Protected Areas that Work for Nature and People. Marine protected areas can help restore fish stocks and protect biodiversity. But when they are designed without coastal communities, they can also restrict access to fishing grounds, weaken livelihoods, and create conflict. Coastal leaders have firsthand experience of what works and what fails, and their input is essential for fair and effective marine protection.. 2) Building Coastal Economies that Last. A sustainable blue economy can create jobs and income through fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, transport, and coastal small businesses. But when blue growth focuses mainly on big investment and infrastructure, small-scale fishers, women, youth, and informal workers can be pushed aside and end up carrying the risks without sharing the benefits. Coastal leaders understand what inclusive growth looks like on the ground, and their voices are essential to shape blue economy plans that strengthen livelihoods, improve fairness, and support long-term sustainability. 3) Protecting Coastal Communities on the Frontlines. Sea-level rise, stronger storms, coastal erosion, and coral bleaching are already reshaping life in Southeast Asia’s coastal communities. Many communities are leading practical solutions like mangrove protection and reef restoration, but too often they lack the funding and support needed to scale what works. Coastal leaders bring urgent, firsthand evidence of what communities need to stay safe, protect livelihoods, and access fair climate finance for locally led action. 4) Keeping Fish on the Reef and Food on the Table. Fisheries are the backbone of livelihoods, food security, and cultural identity across Southeast Asia’s coastal communities, but many fish stocks are under severe pressure from overfishing, destructive gear, and illegal fishing. Small-scale fishers often face weak rights, limited influence in decision-making, and unequal access to markets, even though they are key stewards of coastal waters. Coastal leaders bring practical solutions, such as community-led management, shared decision-making, and stronger transparency in seafood supply chains, that can make fisheries more sustainable and more fair.