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 Western Indian Ocean Science to Policy Platform (SPP) is a multi-stakeholder intermediary, bridging gaps between science, policy, and society in the WIO region. It supports Nairobi Convention efforts by integrating scientific evidence, fostering an understanding of environmental challenges, and facilitating evidence-based decision-making for sustainable coastal and marine development.
The UNEP Nairobi Convention Secretariat has achieved another milestone toward implementing the new Western Indian Ocean Strategic Action Programme in support of a sustainable regional Blue Economy, which was agreed upon by the Contracting Parties to the Nairobi Convention (NC). In partnership with Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), the Nairobi Convention conducted a six-day Regional Capacity Building Course on…
Durban, South Africa – From March 12-14, 2024, a workshop titled “Country-level Implementation of Regional Framework for Coastal & Marine Water Quality Management (C&MWQM) in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) Region” was held. Participants included representatives from five Nairobi Convention Contracting Parties: Kenya, Tanzania/Zanzibar, South Africa, Seychelles, and Madagascar. This workshop aimed to enhance the…
Protecting the Marine Environment from Land-Based Pollution in Tanzania The Nairobi Convention, through the ACP MEAs 3 programme, is supporting the Vice President’s Office (VPO), Tanzania in developing a National Source Inventory report on plastic pollution. This report will inform the development of a national marine litter management strategy and action plan to reduce plastic…
Quick access to Nairobi Convention’s frequently searched publications and tools.
The Nairobi Convention Clearinghouse – data and information for improved management and protection of the Western Indian Ocean
Welcome to the Nairobi Convention Community of Practice. Connect and interact with fellow experts, colleagues, and group members.
