Integrating Western Indian Ocean Governance Strategy with Africa-wide Ocean Governance Strategy
Inspired by the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) Cairo Declaration of 2015, the Nairobi Convention’s contracting parties decided at COP 10 in November 2021 to develop a Regional Ocean Governance Strategy (ROGS) for the Western Indian Ocean (WIO). Since May 2022, a 24-member multistakeholder task force, including representatives from the Nairobi Convention parties, the African Union, regional economic communities, private sector, and civil society, has worked collaboratively on this initiative. The support team, hosted by the Nairobi Convention Secretariat, organized a series of participatory technical dialogues focusing on maritime security, blue economy, environment and natural resources, and knowledge management and capacity building.
In June 2024, a Regional Ocean Governance meeting was hosted in Swakopmund, Namibia. This meeting emphasized the need for integrated ocean management and harmonization of the Western Indian Ocean ROGS with the broader African Ocean Governance Strategy. Participants included representatives from African Regional Seas Conventions, UNEP, and the WIO ROGS Task Force. Discussions highlighted the importance of high-level political mandates, adequate financial support, and effective coordination. Despite challenges like uniting diverse sectors and stakeholders, the inclusive approach has fostered ownership and enhanced the strategy’s quality.
Nairobi Convention COP 11
The draft ROGS will be presented at COP 11 on August 22, 2024, for possible adoption. If approved, implementation will begin in the 2025–2028 Nairobi Convention Work Programme, marking a significant step towards sustainable ocean governance in the WIO region.
