Our oceans and coasts are the origin of life on earth, an important food source, and crucial for the global ecological equilibrium,  yet despite their global significance, marine and coastal ecosystems face a wide array of threats. It was in the spirit of making enhanced concerted efforts at the global, regional, national and local levels that the Blue Solutions Initiative was created. It provides a global knowledge network and capacity development platform to collate, share and generate solutions for effective management and equitable governance of our planet's marine and coastal living spaces.