The Western Indian Ocean is being degraded by activities that harm marine life, undermine coastal communities and negatively affect human health. These threats make it more important than ever for governments in the region to work together to strengthen protection of the ocean.
Administered by UNEP, the Nairobi Convention—signed by Comoros, France, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania and the Republic of South Africa — provides a platform for governments, civil society, and the private sector to work together for the sustainable management and use of the marine and coastal environment.
Integrated Management of the Marine and Coastal Resources of the Northern Mozambique Channel (NoCaMo) Project
African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) Countries Capacity Building of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) project
A Partnership project for Marine and Coastal Governance and Fisheries Management for Sustainable Blue Growth in the Western Indian Ocean
The Western Indian Ocean Large Marine Ecosystems Strategic Action Programme Policy Harmonisation and Institutional Reforms (SAPPHIRE)
Implementation of the Strategic Action Programme for the protection of the Western Indian Ocean from land-based sources and activities (WIOSAP)
The Western Indian Ocean Governance Initiative (WIOGI)
The Nairobi Convention area extends from Somalia in the north to South Africa in the south, covering 10 African States.
The participating countries are:
The Conference of Parties (COP) is the decision-making forum of the Nairobi Convention where policies and strategies are agreed on to continue the protection, management, and development of the Western Indian Ocean. The Nairobi Convention’s 11th Conference of Parties (COP11) is scheduled for August 20-22, 2024. COP 11 will be hosted in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
The Western Indian Ocean Science to Policy Platform (SPP) is a multi-stakeholder intermediary, bridging gaps between science, policy, and society in the WIO region. It supports Nairobi Convention efforts by integrating scientific evidence, fostering an understanding of environmental challenges, and facilitating evidence-based decision-making for sustainable coastal and marine development.
Strengthening Marine Ecosystems: The Case of Mauritius The Nairobi Convention serves as a regional platform to address the challenges facing coastal and marine ecosystems in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) through collective interventions, dialogue, and partnerships. Contracting Parties, including Kenya, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Comoros, Mauritius, Madagascar, Reunion (France), and Seychelles, collaborate on national and…
Addressing the risk of oil spills in the Western Indian Ocean The Richness and Fragility of the Western Indian Ocean Did you know that the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region is home to over 244 million people, a coastline stretching more than 15,000 km, and some of the most vibrant marine ecosystems on Earth? From…
Uruguay hosted over 350 delegates at the 10th International Waters Conference (IWC10) in Punta del Este from September 23 – 26, 2024. Organized by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in collaboration with UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC/UNESCO), the event focused on the theme Transformative actions and impacts for the water and ocean SDGs: The GEF…
Quick access to Nairobi Convention’s frequently searched publications and tools.
The Nairobi Convention Clearinghouse – data and information for improved management and protection of the Western Indian Ocean
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