The Marine Regions Forum 2023, hosted by Tanzania and Seychelles in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region, served as a collaborative platform for experts to exchange knowledge on ocean governance. The forum aimed to enhance cooperation and coordination, emphasizing practical strategies for sustainable practices. Topical Strands Tackling the Triple Planetary Crisis: Addressed climate change, biodiversity…
On the second day of the Marine Regions Forum, stakeholders gathered to explore innovative ways to strengthen regional governance. In-depth discussions on co-designing sustainable ocean management and articulating marine spatial planning initiatives for co-creation of regional visions were the focus of workshop sessions centred on fostering a sustainable blue economy. The sessions focused on harnessing…
The 2023 edition of the Marine Regions Forum has kicked off in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and will be running from 7-9 November 2023. This forum brings together stakeholders from the Western Indian Ocean region to provide a platform for these experts to present and deliberate on governance issues and recommendations that can effectively foster…
The BBNJ Treaty and the Regional Western Indian Ocean Governance In a convergence of marine and law of the sea experts, the Regional Ocean Governance Task Force and Support Team concluded a series of technical dialogues in October 2023, marking a significant stride towards shaping the regional Western Indian Ocean governance strategy. The crowning jewel…
A historic event saw the Nairobi Convention Contracting Parties unanimously agree to, adopt, and sign the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Protocol for the Western Indian Ocean after thirteen years of dedicated negotiations. This unfolded at a Conference of Plenipotentiaries held on 11-12 September 2023 in the picturesque Antananarivo, Madagascar, and followed four intergovernmental negotiation…
At the 10th Conference of Parties to the Nairobi Convention, Contracting Parties to the Secretariat and Partners to develop an Information Management Strategy (IMS) for the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region, compliant with COP Decision 10.5. To this end, the Nairobi Convention is collaborating with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) through the “Western Indian…
September 11-15 2023 Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) involves all stakeholders to ensure sustainable development by managing coastal and marine ecosystems, promoting sustainable use of resources, and addressing the impacts of human activities. The ICZM Protocol serves as a framework for regional and national cooperation in managing the coastal zone sustainably in the Western Indian…
Ports play a crucial role in the global economy as they facilitate the transportation of 90% of global trade and deliver numerous goods that we use every day. However, unsustainable port development can pose severe threats to coastal ecosystems and the goods and services that they provide. Ports are known to cause significant pollution due…
…for resilient marine and coastal ecosystems and livelihoods The Mozambique Minister of the Sea, Inland Water and Fisheries, launched the second phase of a new project for enhancing the resilience of coastal ecosystems and livelihoods in the Western Indian Ocean for regional knowledge exchange and policy dialogue on fisheries and environment-related matters, which is implemented…
Efforts and Progress Wetlands in the Western Indian Ocean region are not just a pretty sight, they are vital ecosystems that support a diverse array of life. They include salt marshes, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests. These unique habitats are homes, breeding and feeding grounds for species such as fish, turtles, sea cucumbers, molluscs, corals,…