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Update on the Special Conference of Contracting
Parties
of the Abidjan Convention COP 9
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Revitalization of the Convention
In November 2007 the Joint Secretariat
of the Abidjan and Nairobi Conventions for the
Protection, Management and Development of the
Coastal and Marine Environment of the Western
and Eastern African Regions organized in collaboration
with the New Partnership for African Development
(NEPAD) the Joint Conference of Contracting Parties
of the Abidjan Convention (COP 8) and Nairobi
Convention (COP5). The Conference was hosted by
South Africa in Johannesburg from 5 to 8 November
2007.
During the Conference the Contracting Parties
of the Abidjan Convention a decision (CP8/8) on
Revitalization of the Convention was adopted to
ensure the effective implementation of the Convention
as well as review its instruments for the promotion
of sustainable development in the region within
the global context.
In this decision the Contracting Parties;
- established a Working Group comprising the
current members of the Convention Bureau, namely;
South Africa, Gambia, Senegal and Ghana, to
oversee the revitalization process;
- requested the Executive Director of the United
Nations Environment Programme to prepare an
action plan for transferring the Secretariat
of the Convention to Cote D’Ivoire spelling
out, amongst others, the details relating to
relocation from Nairobi to Abidjan, human, financial
and infrastructure resource needs; and phased
transition from full UNEP support to ultimate
ownership by the Contracting Parties;
- agreed to hold the Special Session back to
back with the 12th Session of the African Ministerial
Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) in Johannesburg
in June 2008 to consider and decide on the recommendations
for revitalizing the Abidjan Convention.
The United Nations Environment Programme, in
collaboration with the Commissions of the Large
Marine Ecosystems of the Convention region, relevant
stakeholders is currently reviewing the Convention
to provide options for suitable institutional
arrangements for regional and sub-regional coordination
of the Convention and strategies for ratifications
as well as an action plan for transferring the
functions currently handled by UNEP as the Secretariat
from Nairobi to Abidjan with clear details relating
to human, financial and infrastructure resource
needs.
Aim of the Special Conference
The main aim of the Special Conference is to
consider the action plan and options for encouraging
ratifications and enhancing contributions to Trust
Fund of the Convention as well as to map the way
forward for strengthening regional coordinating
mechanisms and for promoting conservation and
sustainable use of coastal and marine resources
in the Convention region.
The Special Conference of Contracting Parties
of the Convention will be held within the framework
of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment
(AMCEN) at the International Convention Centre,
Sandton in Johannesburg, South Africa on 6 and
10 June 2008.
The 12th AMCEN Session will be held in the same
venue from 9 to 10 June 2008.
Preparations for the Special Conference
As part of the preparations for the Special Conference
for the revitalization of the Convention, UNEP
in close consultation with the Large Marine Ecosystems
Commissions and other relevant stakeholders in
the Convention area, is reviewing the original
mandate and objectives of the Convention in order
to provide options for suitable institutional
arrangements for regional and sub-regional coordination
and enhancing contributions to the Trust Fund
as well as strategies for encouraging ratifications
of the Convention and an action plan for transferring
the functions of the Secretariat from Nairobi
to Abidjan with details of human, infrastructure
and financial needs.
The report of the review will be presented to
a stakeholders meeting scheduled to take place
in Dakar, Senegal from 1 to 3 April 2008.
The meeting which will be attended by the National
Focal Points of the Convention and other key stakeholders
will examine the options and strategies for effective
implementation of the Convention.
The report of the outcome of the stakeholders
meeting will then be presented as main working
document to the Special Conference of Contracting
Parties of the Convention in Johannesburg in June
2008.
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