Addressing the risk of oil spills in the Western Indian Ocean The Richness and Fragility of the Western Indian Ocean Did you know that the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region is home to over 244 million people, a coastline stretching more than 15,000 km, and some of the most vibrant marine ecosystems on Earth? From…
Uruguay hosted over 350 delegates at the 10th International Waters Conference (IWC10) in Punta del Este from September 23 – 26, 2024. Organized by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in collaboration with UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC/UNESCO), the event focused on the theme Transformative actions and impacts for the water and ocean SDGs: The GEF…
In September 2023, an intrepid team of environmental stewards embarked on a transformative odyssey along the coasts of Boeny and Sofia regions in Madagascar. They sought to assess and engage with local communities on mangrove conservation, restoration and explore blue carbon market initiatives for the sustainability of coastal marine biodiversity in the country. The team…
The BBNJ Treaty and the Regional Western Indian Ocean Governance In a convergence of marine and law of the sea experts, the Regional Ocean Governance Task Force and Support Team concluded a series of technical dialogues in October 2023, marking a significant stride towards shaping the regional Western Indian Ocean governance strategy. The crowning jewel…
Second Round Regional WorkshopsRegional Workshop on ocean governance and the science-policy interface (Component I) and in support of the development of the third World Ocean Assessment (Component II) for the Indian Ocean (including the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal), the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden and the ROPME/RECOFI regions The Division for…
MOMBASA, Kenya Kenya is one of the African countries that recognizes the blue economy as a new frontier for socio-economic development. The Blue Economy (BE) involves the development and management of coastal and marine resources in a sustainable way, providing opportunities for economic growth in sectors such as tourism, shipping, and fisheries, among others. The…
Women have historically been under-represented in ocean governance and policy formulation, despite the crucial role they play in marine and coastal activities. With oceans covering approximately 70% of the world and women comprising half of the global population, it is essential that women play an active and influential role in ocean governance. Women have traditionally…
Blue Economy Validation Workshop This workshop was organized by Nairobi Convention’s SAPPHIRE project, in collaboration with the University of Nairobi. To access the draft Blue Economy sector reports, visit this link. To access the presentations made during the validation meeting, visit this link. For media coverage on this event, visit: YouTube | LinkedIn
in Gqeberha, South Africa In October 2022, the GEF-funded Western Indian Ocean Large Marine Ecosystems Strategic Action Programme Policy Harmonization and Institutional Reforms (SAPPHIRE) Project held its fifth Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting. This meeting was held in person in Gqeberha, South Africa against the backdrop of the 12th WIOMSA Scientific Symposium, the premier regional…
South Africa’s coastal environment is a rich and diverse national asset that provides economic and social opportunities for its coastal communities. South Africa is a maritime nation with jurisdiction over one of the largest exclusive economic zones in the world, at 1.5 million square km. Therefore, our ocean represents a significant asset for current and…