These international collaborators, partners, donors, stakeholders include IOC-UNESCO GOOS-AFRICA, ODINAFRICA, IMO, World Conservation Union (IUCN), WWF and projects on Large Marine Ecosystems (BCLME, CCC and GCLME). Others are UNEP/GPA, PRCM, and NEPAD/SINEPAD. Associated partners also include the FAO, CSRP, NOAA, IOCEA/IOC, among others.

More recently, in response to new realities and needs, UNEP and the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) have developed a support programme aimed at improving the coordination mechanism in the Convention area. The objectives of the programme aim at fostering further coordination with other Conventions and partners and developing a work programme for the assessment and management of coastal ecosystems as well as other related social and economic issues. The aim has been aptly described as promoting effective coordination mechanism based on the premise that priority thematic issues have geographical influence that may best be addressed through an effective and strong coordination centre.

The Convention, NEPAD Work programe and Other Initiatives

The 2005 – 2007 Work Programme of the Convention is said to be in line with several relevant programmes currently under way within UNEP and other collaborating partners in the West and Central African region. These programmes are based on

1. UNEP Regional Seas Strategic Directions for 2004 – 2007
2. The SIDA-supported project to strengthen the coordination mechanism, management and assessment activities within the Nairobi and Abidjan Conventions over the period 2003 – 2006
3. The GEF LME projects for the Benguela, Canary and Guinea Currents. The work programme was also built on the strength of the last two work programmes and new initiatives by other agencies of the United Nations system, other partners and non-governmental organizations.

Within the same UNEP Regional Seas framework and especially Strategic Direction 5 which is meant to enhance the use of Regional Seas as a platform for the coordinated implementation of MEAs and global initiatives, the Convention has a responsibility of incorporating and integrating its work programmme with those of NEPAD Environmental initiatives. There are strong linkages between the work programme of the Convention and NEPAD’s programme area on conservation and sustainable use of coastal and marine resources. This incorporates environmental concerns to the development agenda of the countries through targeted actions that address not only the environmental aspects, but also institutional, regulatory, policy and capacity elements. The key element of the programme areas is the creation of awareness and commitment to the sustainable development of coastal resources through targeted interventions that address priority issues which encompass not only environmental, but also socio-economic concerns. This is indeed a primary focus of the reconfigured objectives of the Convention in response to current realities.

The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) recognizes that the range of issues necessary to nurture Africa’s environmental base and sustainable use of its resources is vast and complex. Environment was integrated as the eight theme of NEPAD Action Plan. The consultative process for the Action Plan of the Environment Initiative identified over 200 projects whose implementation will have a direct impact on preserving Africa’s environmental resources as well as contributing to poverty eradication and the fostering of sub-regional and regional integration.

Taskforces and Working Groups

Establishment of task forces or working groups for implementation of some aspects of the biennial work programme of the Abidjan Convention especially where such groups address specific priority issues of participating countries.

Such activity groups assist in timely implementation of projects/tasks in the overall decentralization for effective coordination. The task forces should be project specific and operational within the period allotted for their tasks/activities only.

Stakeholders and their relevant Roles in the Abidjan Convention

Back