The Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region, celebrated for its rich marine biodiversity and vital ecosystems like coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves, confronts mounting threats from anthropogenic and climate change-induced phenomena. Coral bleaching, sea-level rise, and intensified extreme weather events are among the pressing challenges endangering the region’s ecological balance. Recent catastrophic events, notably Cyclone Hidaya and widespread floods are stark reminders of the urgency to enhance readiness in dealing with such disasters. This is particularly pronounced for the WIO region, comprising ten countries, including Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries, which are especially susceptible to climate impacts.
Despite the challenges posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic, the tenth Nairobi Convention Conference of the Parties (COP10) convened virtually in November 2021. It made commitments for improved ocean governance in the Western Indian Ocean region. The commitments included the decision to align the Convention’s activities and initiatives with the Global Biodiversity Framework, the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, and the Sustainable Development Goals to address poverty, hunger, health, gender equity, clean water, economic growth, innovation, sustainable practices, climate action, source-to-sea approaches, and fostering partnerships.
As preparations intensify for the eleventh Conference of Parties to the Nairobi Convention (COP 11) in August, at Antananarivo, Madagascar, let’s review the progress made in implementing each of the Nairobi Convention COP 10 Decisions; setting the stage for COP 11:
Progress on Implementation of Nairobi Convention COP 10 Decisions
Decision CP.10/1: Approved the Programme of Work for 2022-2024, which was instrumental in guiding the Convention’s activities, focusing on assessments, capacity building, management, coordination, legal aspects, and information dissemination.
Decision CP.10/2: Highlighted the importance of ratifying and implementing the Amended Nairobi Convention and the Protocol on Land-based Sources and Activities (LBSA Protocol). Efforts have been made to support implementation, including capacity building and the development of water quality monitoring frameworks. In March 2024, South Africa joined the list of ratifying Contracting Parties. Mozambique, Mauritius, Seychelles, and Tanzania also ratiffied, thus bringing the total number of ratifying Contracting Parties to five.
Decision CP.10/3: This decision saw the adoption and signing of the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM Protocol) after the final negotiations supported by the GEF-funded WIOSAP in March 2019. The protocol, championing sustainable coastal management, was signed during a conference in Antananarivo by the Government of Madagascar and the Convention’s Bureau Chair. A pilot ICZM project in Kenya has reported encouraging progress while several other pilot projects implemented by the Secretariat have embedded ICZM principles.
Under Decision CP.10/4, the first negotiations on the amendment of the Protocol Concerning Protected Areas and Wild Flora and Fauna in the Eastern African Region were held in November 2022, in Antananarivo, Madagascar. The amendment sought to address gaps in the existing framework, adapt to evolving challenges in marine biodiversity, align with contemporary international and regional agreements, and strengthen the protocol’s legal foundation and effectiveness, providing better responses to emerging threats such as anthropogenic pressures, habitat degradation, natural disasters, and climate change.
Decision CP.10/5 focused on finalizing the regional ocean governance strategy, enhancing collaboration with Regional Economic Communities, and strengthening national data centers through the development of a regional information strategy. The development of both strategies continued successfully in the 2022-2024 implementation period, with both drafts ready to be presented at the eleventh conference of parties for possible adoption.
Decision CP.10/6: tasked the Secretariat to enhance regional response centers and oil spill coordination mechanisms. Efforts included supporting the review of national oil spill contingency plans, identifying capacity gaps, and preparing sensitivity maps for Contracting Parties. The GEF-funded SAPPHIRE project assessed the status of national contingency mapping and developed National Action Plans (NAP) for participating countries. Additionally, regional training sessions and workshops, in collaboration with UNEP, IMO, and the Government of Norway, focused on incident command systems and the effects of oil pollution, advocating for effective national frameworks and capacity building.
Decision CP.10/7 responded to COP 9.9 Decision which identified ocean acidification as a priority threat. Initiatives have been launched to address ocean acidification, including the development of a regional action plan aimed at monitoring and mitigating its impacts.
In response to Decision CP.10/8, the Secretariat and partners WIOMSA, Nelson Mandela University, and Macquarie University, have successfully led the development of a Western Indian Ocean Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) Strategy. Capacity building workshops held in Dar es Salaam and Mombasa enhanced national expertise in MSP, while pilot MSP activities in Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa are underway. A scoping study conducted in Tanzania provides a roadmap for integrating sustainable blue economy principles into national marine spatial planning. Additionally, efforts to establish a network of marine protected areas have been implemented, supported by capacity development workshops focused on enhancing coastal and marine management effectiveness aligned with global frameworks such as SDG 14 and the Global Biodiversity Framework.
Implementation under Decision CP.10/9 saw the development of the Regional Framework for Ecosystem Monitoring in the Western Indian Ocean, providing standardized guidelines for Contracting Parties and partners. The framework promotes integrated, coordinated, and collaborative monitoring efforts across the region, addressing key ecosystem indicators identified through research. It supports Contracting Parties in assessing the state of their marine and coastal environments.
Decision CP.10/10 prompted the Secretariat and partners to address marine litter and water quality in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region. This involved establishing a regional technical working group to develop a strategy for managing marine litter and microplastics. The group produced assessment reports on various aspects of marine litter and microplastics to support regional efforts. Additionally, efforts were made to enhance water quality management through the development of a strategic framework and guidelines. Collaborative meetings and training sessions facilitated capacity building and the formulation of action plans, aligning with regional policies and initiatives for sustainable ocean management.
Decision CP.10/11: Emphasized the importance of science-policy dialogues for informed decision-making in regional ocean governance. In December 2023, a Science to Policy forum was held in Maputo, Mozambique. The Science to Policy forum facilitated discussions on emerging scientific findings and their implications for ocean governance. It presented an opportunity for policy and decision makers to engage with scientists. The dialogues’ outcomes were scientific, technical and policy recommendations for consideration at COP 11 by contracting parties.
Under Decision CP.10/12, the NC Secretariat continued to support ongoing projects while developing new proposals for donor funding. Additionally, efforts were made to enhance partnerships and collaborations with various organizations, including IOTC, SIOFA, BRS Conventions, IORA, IGAD, CSIR, EAC, and COMESA. Strategies for engaging the private sector were developed, and partnerships with entities like IOC and WIOMSA were updated through Memoranda of Understanding.
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Additionally, some Decisions from the ninth Conference of Parties to the Nairobi Convention (COP9) continued to be implemented in the 2022-2024 work program. These Decisions focused on strengthening regional programs, monitoring marine protected areas and critical habitats, and promoting green port development in the region. In response to Decision CP.9/1 Part 3, the NC Secretariat, in collaboration with partners and regional experts, has developed an integrated programme titled Implementation of the Western Indian Ocean Strategic Action Programme in support of a sustainable regional Blue Economy. This programme consolidates and updates previous strategic action programmes, aligning with key regional, continental, and global policy commitments such as the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Protocol, UN Decade of Ocean Science, Paris Agreement, Agenda 2030 on SDGs, and Africa Integrated Maritime Strategy (AIMS 2050).
As per Decision CP.9/13 Part 9, the Nairobi Convention, in collaboration with the International Maritime Organization, the Port Management Association of Eastern and Southern Africa, and other partners, has undertaken significant efforts to enhance cooperation and support for green port development in the Western Indian Ocean region. Partnering with entities like the Maritime Technology Cooperation Center (MTCC), the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Macquarie University, and WIOMSA, the Secretariat has conducted a comprehensive baseline study, scenario analysis, and developed a toolkit for green port development and expansion. These outputs, developed through regional participatory processes, are poised for adoption at the eleventh Conference of the Parties.
The Eleventh Conference of Parties to the Nairobi Convention- COP 11
The proposed decision areas for COP 11 encompass a broad range of issues, reflecting the ongoing commitment to advancing ocean governance and environmental sustainability in the Western Indian Ocean region. These areas include work programming and finances, implementation of global commitments such as the BBNJ Treaty and SDGs, ocean governance strategies, legal frameworks, addressing environmental challenges like climate change and pollution, promoting sustainable use of ocean resources including the Blue Economy, and fostering projects and partnerships.
