The GEF-funded project, ‘Implementation of the Strategic Action Programme for the protection of the Western Indian Ocean from land-based sources and activities (WIO-SAP) is aiming to make a major contribution to the achievement of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Targets 14.2 and 14.5 by reviewing critical habitats in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region. A key aim of the WIOSAP programme is to develop tools and guidelines for vulnerability assessment and spatial planning. These tools and guidelines are intended to be used by the institutions in participating countries to both conduct ecosystem vulnerability assessment studies and support coastal monitoring and spatial planning processes at a national level. The outputs will contribute to building the capacity for relevant institutions to undertake vulnerability assessments and to support management and monitoring of the state of coastal ecosystems in the participating countries.