Post by Eric Hansel

Throughout many conversations I’ve had with delegates from different member states (countries) at the #UN — especially from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS)—the pattern is the same: they’ve heard from plenty of consultants selling “solutions,” but their core questions are about #trust, #datasovereignty, and who really benefits. That’s why ScubaVerse doesn’t start with a tech demo. We start with governance. 📅 Phase 1 – Listen first We sit down with stakeholders: Ministries (tourism, environment, fisheries) Coastal communities and Indigenous knowledge holders Youth groups and local operators The focus is to understand local priorities, red lines, and existing knowledge, so the work strengthens what’s already there instead of replacing it. 🛡️ Phase 2 – Co‑create guardrails Together, we define: Where AI and digital tools are appropriate—and where they are not Data‑sovereignty and access rules that keep control with governments and communities Fair benefit‑sharing and local employment pathways A written list of prohibited uses that are off‑limits from day one 🤿 Phase 3 – Prepare the ground Only after those pieces are in place do we: Train local teams in photogrammetry, storytelling, and Virtual Tourism as a Service (VTaaS) workflows Select pilot sites based on national and community priorities Set up validation protocols with marine scientists and local experts one line comes up again and again: “You’re the first team that started with what we need to protect, not with what you want to sell.” That’s the difference between extraction and partnership—and it’s why a governance‑first approach to Marine Digital Public Infrastructure is the only model that makes sense for LDCs and SIDS on the frontlines of climate change. Dr. Philbert Aaron Markus Krebsz Marisa Zalabak Craig Taylor James Alix Michel Nirmal Jivan Shah Anna Lerner Nesbitt Miroslav Polzer Lóránt Czárán Joao Sousa Eustace T. Wallace Jr. Anaïs Clermont Ambassador Philip Thigo, MBS Sinikinesh Beyene Jimma John Gilroy Pradeep KurukulasuriyaSamuel Liberty Amos Nachoum #SIDS #LDCs #TrustBuilding #OceanGovernance #MarineDPI #CoCreation #IndigenousLeadership #BlueEconomy #DataSovereignty #ScubaVerse