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Introduction
The Convention for Co-operation in the Protection and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the West and Central African Region (the Abidjan Convention).
The associated protocol of the Abidjan Convention
concerning Cooperation in Combating Pollution
in Cases of Emergency and the associated Action
Plan for the Protection and Development of the
Marine Environment and Coastal Areas of the West
and Central African Region was adopted by 11 countries
at a Conference in Abidjan in March, 1981. The
Convention and Protocol entered into force on
5th August, 1984 after the deposit of the 6th
instrument of ratification.
The role of the Abidjan Convention as a platform
for implementing the environmental initiatives
of NEPAD Environment Action Plan for the coastal
and marine environment.
The convention provides an important framework through which national policy makers and resource managers implement national control measures in the protection and development of the marine and coastal environment of the WACAF Region (West and Central African Region)
The Abidjan Convention is expected to play a
leading role in guiding and sustaining environmental
action for the protection and development of the
coastal and marine areas through concerted efforts
and activities to which Governments and the citizenry
can positively respond to facilitate in the complex
challenges of the management processes of coastal
areas.
The active involvement of all
stakeholders is crucial, but the multiplier effect
of action by a critical mass of committed parties,
guided by UNEP, can provide and sustain the momentum
required for achieving the objectives of the Convention
for the benefit of all. The opportunities are
tremendous, in view of the increasing numbers
of environmental initiatives and ongoing programmes/projects
in the region. The constraints are equally daunting
but surmountable, with increasing environmental
awareness and responsibilities to our global common,
one planet and one ocean.
In view of the need to sustain
the momentum generated so far, in retooling and
revamping the Convention, the following are suggested
as urgent needs and initial activities:
- The appointment of a full-fledged or substantive
Regional Coordinator, in accordance with standard
UN regulations, to be located in Abidjan, bearing
in mind that the leadership of the Convention
is the key to jumpstarting it;
- The appointment of at least two (2) program
officers, co-located in Abidjan with the Regional
Coordinator, to assist the Coordinator, but
with clearly defined Job description; these
two should be nationals from the member countries
chosen for their technical competence, and with
national officers status, as practiced in IMO
and GCLME Project to reduce personnel cost;
- The critical mass for staffing presently are
the Regional Coordinator, one to two program
officer(s) and a secretarial assistant, fully
supported for carrying out their functions;
- The present office/bureau granted by the Government
of Cote d'Ivoire could continue to serve as
the Secretariat until funding permits relocation
to an independent Regional office;
- Backstopping for the Office/Bureau should
be the responsibility of UNEP in this initial
phase, but could be changed later in conformity
with practice for similar Regional bodies;
- UNEP should source the seed money for establishing
the Secretariat, and together with the new bureau,
commence active resource mobilization for sustainability.
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