Abidjan Convention

The Abidjan Convention

A. Overview

The Abidjan Convention covers the marine environment, coastal zones and related inland waters falling within the jurisdiction of the States of West, Central and Southern Africa, extending from Mauritania to the western coast of South Africa — a stretch of approximately 14,000 kilometres along the coast.

This vast coastal area contains highly productive ecosystems that sustain rich fisheries, coastal tourism, industries, and major ports, providing livelihoods for millions of people. However, these ecosystems have been increasingly degraded by unplanned development, unsustainable resource use, and pollution. Over the past three decades, these pressures — compounded by conflict, poverty, and weak governance — have severely affected coastal and marine habitats.

Coastal erosion, flooding, and the destruction of critical habitats are among the most pressing environmental challenges. These are expected to intensify with climate change, placing additional strain on coastal communities, who are both the beneficiaries and victims of ecosystem degradation

B. Introduction

The Convention for Cooperation in the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Atlantic Coast of the West, Central and Southern Africa Region (Abidjan Convention) was adopted in Abidjan in March 1981 and entered into force in 1984.

Recognizing the ecological uniqueness and the shared challenges of the region’s marine and coastal environment, the countries of the region agreed to a common framework to prevent, reduce, and control pollution and to promote sustainable development. The Convention was accompanied by its first Protocol on Cooperation in Combating Pollution in Cases of Emergency, and by an Action Plan for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment and Coastal Areas of the Region.

As a framework agreement, it provides the basis for regional cooperation in addressing marine and coastal issues — including pollution, ecosystem degradation, loss of biodiversity, and the impacts of human activities. It promotes the exchange of scientific and technical knowledge and the development of joint actions to safeguard the health and productivity of the marine environment.

C. Organizational structure

1. Contracting Parties:
   The Contracting Parties that have ratified the Abidjan Convention are Benin, Cameroon, the Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Togo, Angola, Cabo Verde, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Namibia, and São Tomé and Príncipe are signatories of the Abidjan Convention but are yet ratified the Convention. 

   The Convention currently has 19 Contracting Parties.

2. National Focal Points:
   They coordinate national implementation of the Convention and its Protocols, serving as liaison between the Secretariat and national institutions.
3. Secretariat:
   Based in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, it coordinates the activities of the Convention and facilitates cooperation among Contracting Parties and partners.

The Secretariat’s mission is to “protect, conserve and develop the Abidjan Convention area and its resources for the benefit and well-being of its people.”

D. The Convention and its legal instruments

• The Abidjan Convention (1981) — Framework for cooperation in the protection and development of the marine and coastal environment.

• Protocol Concerning Cooperation in Combating Pollution in Cases of Emergency (1985).

  Adopted in 1981 and entered into force in 1985, this Protocol establishes the legal framework for cooperation and mutual assistance among Contracting Parties in responding to marine pollution emergencies, including oil spills and other hazardous substance discharges.

• Protocol Concerning Pollution from Land-Based Sources and Activities (LBSA) (2012).

  Formally adopted in 2012 in Grand-Bassam, Côte d’Ivoire, the Protocol addresses one of the most significant sources of marine pollution in the region — land-based activities. It provides a comprehensive framework for preventing, reducing, controlling, and eliminating pollution from agricultural runoff, industrial discharges, wastewater, and other terrestrial sources that impact the marine and coastal environment; supporting the implementation of the Global Programme of Action (GPA) for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities.

• Protocol on Sustainable Mangrove Management (2019).

  Adopted in Calabar, Nigeria, this is the first protocol of its kind under any Regional Seas Convention. It recognizes mangroves as vital for biodiversity, shoreline protection, and carbon sequestration.

• Protocol on Environmental Standards and Guidelines for Offshore Oil and Gas Activities (2019).

  Adopted in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, this Protocol establishes environmental standards for offshore oil and gas operations. It mandates environmental impact assessments (EIAs), strategic environmental assessments (SEAs), and adoption of best available technologies to prevent pollution and minimize ecological damage. It seeks to harmonize national frameworks and enhance monitoring, compliance, and enforcement in line with MARPOL and UNCLOS.

• Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) (2019).

  Adopted in Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo, this Protocol provides a framework for the sustainable management of coastal zones, balancing environmental protection, economic development, and social well-being. It requires the development of national ICZM policies, integration of climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction, and participatory decision-making to strengthen resilience and sustainability of coastal systems.

E. Areas of work 

The Abidjan Convention’s Work Programme serves as a platform for promoting synergies among regional initiatives and ensuring coordinated implementation of the regional initiatives for the protection of the marine and coastal environment.

Key components include:

• Assessments - This component focuses on assessment of ecosystems, habitats and of different pollution sources (both offshore and land-based), including the valuation of ecosystem goods and services and socio-economic impacts.
• Management:
  Implementation of programmes aimed at reducing degradation and promoting the sustainable use of coastal and marine resources through field projects and regional cooperation.
• Governance and coordination:
  Support to Contracting Parties in updating legal and institutional frameworks, developing additional protocols and action plans, and strengthening compliance and enforcement mechanisms at national and regional level.
• Communication and information technologies:
  information exchange, awareness-raising, stakeholder engagement, and use of digital tools to enhance cooperation and visibility.

F. Partnerships

The implementation of the Work Programme relies on strong partnerships among governments, the Secretariat, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, and development partners. Key partners include:

GRID–Arendal, USAID (through the West Africa Biodiversity and Climate Change Programme), MAVA Foundation, World Bank, IDDRI–IASS, IUCN, Wetlands International, WWF, PRCM, subregional fisheries commissions, OSPAR Commission, CMS, CBD, BirdLife International, UN DOALOS, Africa Business Network, and other regional and international organizations.

G. Ongoing projects

• Mami Wata Project: Enhancing marine management through training and application, implemented with GRID–Arendal and funded by the German BMU (IKI).
• Marine Protected Areas Initiative: Supported by the Swedish Ministry of Environment and Energy, the initiative promotes biodiversity conservation and community engagement through enhanced adoption of biodiversity protection and conservation principles.
• GEF Coastal Fisheries Initiative (CFI): The initiative is a Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded programme that promotes sustainable management of coastal fisheries through an ecosystem-based approach. The Initiative supports the sustainable use of marine and coastal resources in West Africa, enhances the livelihoods of coastal communities, and strengthens policy coherence across fisheries, environmental, and economic sectors.
• Cooperation in the protection, management and development for the marine environment and coastal zones of the Atlantic coast of the West, Central and Southern Africa region in partnership with MAVA Foundation for Nature aims to strengthen regional collaboration for the sustainable management of coastal and marine ecosystems. the project promotes ecosystem-based governance, supports the restoration and conservation of critical habitats such as mangroves and estuaries, and enhances the resilience of coastal communities to climate change. Through joint actions with governments, civil society, and scientific institutions, it contributes to reducing pollution, improving fisheries sustainability, and fostering integrated coastal zone management across the region’s Large Marine Ecosystems (the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem; the Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem and the Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem).
• West Africa- Biodiversity and Climate Change Project in partnership with West Africa Biodiversity and Climate Change (WA BiCC)
• West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project for Climate Change Adaptation (WACA ResIP-CCA) in partnership with World Bank
• MAVA Coastal Ecosystems Project: Strengthening resilience of marine ecosystems and coastal livelihoods.
• West Africa Biodiversity and Climate Change (WA BiCC) Project.
• WACA Resilience Investment Project (WACA ResIP-CCA): Partnership with the World Bank to build coastal resilience.
• Abidjan Aquatic Wildlife Partnership: Multi-stakeholder initiative combating illegal trade and consumption of aquatic species, including endangered and threatened species.
• ACP–MEA III Programme: Capacity building on Multilateral Environmental Agreements in ACP countries.

H. Key Achievements

• Adoption of four new Protocols (2019):

o Calabar Protocol on Sustainable Mangrove Management

o Grand Bassam Protocol on Pollution from Land-Based Sources and Activities

o Malabo Protocol on Environmental Standards for Offshore Oil and Gas Activities

o Pointe-Noire Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management

• Adoption of the Abidjan Declaration on Integrated Ocean Management Policies in Africa
• Revitalization of the Convention, reflected in the growing number of ratifications and strengthened institutional mechanisms.

I. Interesting facts (About the Convention or the Contracting Parties)

• Calabar, Nigeria hosts Africa’s largest mangrove ecosystem — the third largest in the world — home to diverse species including red mangrove and Avicennia species.
• The Mangrove Protocol is unique: no other Regional Seas Convention has developed a comparable legal instrument.
• The Atlantic coast of Africa is one of the most biologically rich and productive regions in the world, supporting exceptional biodiversity and vital ecosystem services.

Contact Us

II Plateaux-Vallon - Rue Harris Memel Foteh,
Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan
Tel: +225 22 514 600
Fax: +225 +225 22514602
unenvironment-abidjan-convention@un.org