Nairobi Convention / WIO-C Proposal on the Northern Mozambique Channel - Project Summary

The NMC’s strategic priority for biodiversity conservation has been confirmed by various processes, including the Indian Ocean Commission WIOMER process, the UNESCO World Heritage Convention and the Convention on Biological Diversity “EBSA” process. The importance of the region and its natural assets was furthermore recognized at the 8th Conference of Parties to the Nairobi Convention, in Mahe, Seychelles (June 2015), when a decision (CP8/6) was issued requesting the Contracting Parties, the GEF and other partners, to support projects in the Northern Mozambique Channel as an example of the Integrated Ocean Management (IOM) approach. Based on this decision, the Nairobi Convention Secretariat (NCS) has established a partnership with WWF and Cordio, as members of the WIO-C, to prepare a strategic framework for advancing IOM in the NMC area. Various stages of consultations on this strategic framework have meanwhile been held with the five participating governments as well as well as the WIO-C NGOs, with general-level consensus on the directions to be taken resulting. Based on this overall strategic framework, the present summary provides an overview of a project concept for the French Global Environment Facility (FFEM) as under preparation by the partnership in support of the country-led NMC-IOM process.

Overall objective of the project: By 2025, the Northern Mozambique Channel’s high biodiversity value ecosystems are maintained, and secure sustainable futures and livelihoods for coastal communities and economies.

Specific objectives of the project: By 2020, an integrated ocean management approach is designed, endorsed and initiated through a multi-stakeholder driven marine spatial planning and scenario analysis approach, and an emphasis on upscaling community-driven initiatives