Coordination and Partnerships

The two Conventions are coordinated by a Joint Secretariat hosted by UNEP under DEPI and based in ROA. The Joint Secretariat is supported by Regional Coordinating Units in Seychelles and Cote d’Ivoire, a forum of national focal points, and thematic and technical task forces. The Joint Secretariat also works closely with collaborating partners such as regional NGOs and various national and research institutions. For example, in July 2006 and in partnership with WWF, IUCN and WIOMSA, the Joint Secretariat catalysed the establishment of the “Consortium for Conservation of Coastal and Marine Ecosystems in the Western Indian Ocean”. The consortium, referred to as the “WIO-C”, is a partnership between major NGOs and other organisations in the Western Indian Ocean, namely WWF, IUCN, WIOMSA, EAWLS, CORDIO, IOC, WCS and NEPAD. Anchored in the Nairobi Convention, the WIO-C aims to improve information exchange, synergy and coordination between NGOs working on coastal and marine environment issues in the Western Indian Ocean region, and to move towards a joint programmatic approach in addressing these issues.

The Joint Secretariat is responsible for developing the work programmes of both Conventions and for monitoring progress in their implementation. It is guided by the decisions of the Conference of Parties (COP) that are held every two years for each Convention. Over the last four years, the COPs for each Convention have incrementally expanded the scope of the work programmes and have mandated the Joint Secretariat to take a lead role in the regions, especially in setting priorities and ensuring synergy between different regional initiatives focusing on the coastal and marine environment. The work programmes for 2008-2012, which will be presented in the upcoming conferences in September, maintain this momentum by building on previous successes, and by strengthening and increasing the linkages between partners, programmes and projects. The work programmes are highly collaborative in nature, reflecting the increased coordination among stakeholders working in marine and coastal issues.

Introduction to the Joint Conference of Parties for the Abidjan and Nairobi Convention

1. Background to the Abidjan and Nairobi Convention
2. Political Commitment: Gathering momentum
3. Coordination and Partnerships.
4. Financing
5. Organisation of the Joint COPs.
6. Themes for the COPs.
7. Outputs and Impacts of the Joint COPs.
8. Requirements.

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