TORs – Comprehensive review of the Action Plan for the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Eastern African Region of 1985, taking into account the Amended Nairobi Convention

The Nairobi Convention Secretariat organised the Sixth Conference of Parties (COP-6) to the Nairobi Convention at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, from 29 March to 1 April 2010. The COP-6 adopted the Amended Nairobi Convention for the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Western Indian Ocean (Amended Nairobi Convention), and the Protocol for the Protection of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Western Indian Ocean from Land–Based Sources and Activities (LBSA Protocol). The 6th COP also considered and endorsed the Strategic Action Programme (SAP) for the Protection of the Marine and Coastal Environment in the Western Indian Ocean from Land-based Sources and Activities.

The Contracting Parties, in their Decision CP6/2: Review of Action Plan for the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Eastern African Region, mandated the Nairobi Convention Secretariat and Bureau to review the regional coordination mechanism of the Nairobi Convention, implement short-term actions and propose to the next COP medium to long-term solutions to improve and strengthen the Secretariat; and further requested the Secretariat to undertake a comprehensive review of the Action Plan for the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Eastern African Region of 1985, taking into account the Amended Nairobi Convention, the LBSA Protocol, the SAP, other regional processes, and also noting the emerging challenges and lessons learnt over the years and to report on the progress to the next Conference of Parties. Recognizing the environmental uniqueness of the coastal and marine environment of the Western Indian Ocean region, the threats and the necessity for action, the countries of the region have reconfirmed their faith in the Convention by signing the amended Nairobi Convention, and by adopting an additional LBSA Protocol.

This renewed mandate has however generated an increased need for additional human and financial resources. Consequently, and in view of the limited amount of contributions to the Eastern African Trust Fund, there is a need for a new strategy to implement the Convention and its related protocols; a new mechanism for building new partnerships and a new coordination and administration of the Convention Secretariat.