Consortium for the Conservation of the Coastal and Marine Ecosystems in the Western Indian Ocean region (WIO-C)

WIO-C is a consortium of international and regional Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in partnership with intergovernmental organizations that have presence and are active in regional marine and coastal ecosystem management in the WIO region. It was established during the impelementation of the project on ‘Addressing Land Based activities in the Western Indian Ocean (WIOLaB) to provide a framework for NGOs working in the WIO region to harmonize and advance efforts to protect, conserve, and manage the coastal and marine environment of the WIO region while working to alleviate poverty and attain sustainable livelihoods for the most vulnerable segments of its population. It also aims to support synergy in programmes of work on marine and coastal ecosystem management and promote knowledge and information sharing amongst stakeholders in the WIO region, as well as provide a mechanism for non-governmental entities to anchor activities in the Nairobi Convention and other intergovernmental processes, thus strengthening their implementation. The main activities of the consortium include networking, coordination, lobbying, decision support, resources mobilization and programme development and implementation. WIO-C was formally launched during the 5 th Meeting of Contracting Parties to the Nairobi Convention held in November 2007 in Johannesburg, South Africa and is currently hosted by WIOMSA and chaired by Birdlife International.