The Western Indian Ocean is being degraded by activities that harm marine life, undermine coastal communities and negatively affect human health. These threats make it more important than ever for governments in the region to work together to strengthen protection of the ocean.
Administered by UNEP, the Nairobi Convention—signed by Comoros, France, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania and the Republic of South Africa — provides a platform for governments, civil society, and the private sector to work together for the sustainable management and use of the marine and coastal environment.
Integrated Management of the Marine and Coastal Resources of the Northern Mozambique Channel (NoCaMo) Project
African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) Countries Capacity Building of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) project
A Partnership project for Marine and Coastal Governance and Fisheries Management for Sustainable Blue Growth in the Western Indian Ocean
The Western Indian Ocean Large Marine Ecosystems Strategic Action Programme Policy Harmonisation and Institutional Reforms (SAPPHIRE)
Implementation of the Strategic Action Programme for the protection of the Western Indian Ocean from land-based sources and activities (WIOSAP)
The Western Indian Ocean Governance Initiative (WIOGI)
The Nairobi Convention area extends from Somalia in the north to South Africa in the south, covering 10 African States.
The participating countries are:
The Conference of Parties (COP) is the decision-making forum of the Nairobi Convention where policies and strategies are agreed on to continue the protection, management, and development of the Western Indian Ocean. The Nairobi Convention’s 10th Conference of Parties (COP10) was organized by the Nairobi Convention in collaboration with the Government of Madagascar.
The MPA Outlook, from the Nairobi Convention and the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association, documents progress made by countries in the region towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 14.5 and provides lessons and opportunities to increase momentum for achieving post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework targets.
Healthy and productive ecosystems of the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) are crucial for supporting coastal and marine fisheries which are vital for economic growth, livelihoods, and food security. Protecting critical habitats is key to safeguarding these ecosystems. Secondly, effective coordination, collaboration, and knowledge sharing between fisheries and environmental governance systems are essential to address the…
Coral reefs in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region are approximately 6% (about 15, 180 km2) of the global coral reef coverage. The region is considered an important coral reef biodiversity hotspot. Coral reefs are vital for economic activities and coastal communities due to their role in supporting sustainable fisheries for communities (estimated at US$…
Regional Stakeholders Collaborate to Integrate Ocean Accounting in Ocean Governance and Information Management Strategies The development of the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) Regional Ocean Governance Strategy (ROGS) and Information Management Strategy (IMS) is mandated by the Nairobi Convention Conference of Parties Decision 10.8. The ROGS in particular supports the implementation of the African Ministerial Conference…
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The Nairobi Convention Clearinghouse – data and information for improved management and protection of the Western Indian Ocean
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