Towards Sustainable Port Development in the Western Indian Ocean Region - Physical Stakeholder Meeting

In-Person Stakeholder Meeting

Date:  16 - 17 August 2022

Venue: Dar es Salaam

The WIO Region is experiencing an unprecedented pace of development in various economic sectors. This brings with it demand for large infrastructural developments driven by huge financial inflows from different funding streams. Most of these developments are concentrated in coastal zones with rich natural resources. While the region has an opportunity to define sustainable trajectories for these investments,they have the potential to significantly impact on the integrity of critical habitats and the resource base that future developments and coastal livelihoods depend on if poorly planned and implemented. In the WIO Region coastal communities are strongly reliant on coastal resources for their lives and livelihoods.

Through ‘Decision CP8/10.4’and ‘Decision CP.9/10‘, the Nairobi Convention Contracting Parties resolved to adopt Marine Spatial Planning, and Blue and Ocean Economy to promote sustainability. During the 10th Nairobi Convention Conference of Parties meeting held in November 2021, Decision CP.10/8- Area-based Planning Tools for Sustainable Blue Economy- and Decision CP.10/9 - Monitoring of the marine and coastal ecosystems- were endorsed,signifying the Convention’s commitment to ensure the sustainability of both the ocean economy and the ecosystems services derived from the marine and coastal resources. Specifically, the Contracting Parties requested  the Secretariat in collaboration with other partners, to undertake a baseline study and scenario analysis, and develop a toolkit for green port development and expansion in the Western Indian Ocean region through Decision CP.9/13 -Enhancing  cooperation, collaboration,and support with partners.  This decision  was  further  emphasized  in ‘Decision  CP.10/12- Projects  and  Partnerships  that  urge contracting parties to establish partnerships and programmes on ocean action taking advantage of the opportunities offered by climate change financial mechanisms and arrangements.

The Nairobi Convention Secretariat,through WIOSAP project,has commissioned the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR, South Africa) and the Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre  (MTCC) to  undertake  a  project,  in  consultation  with  regional  port  partners  and other stakeholders, aimed at advancing sustainable port development in the region.MTCC is responsible for stakeholder convening and coordination, while CSIR is responsible for the technical aspects of the project  as  presented  and  approved  during  the  recent  6th WIOSAP  PSC  Meeting  held  at  Nosy  Be, Madagascar. Other core partners include WIOMSA, Macquaarie University and PMAESA.The project's objectives are to map existing and planned ports in the WIO region, develop and compare sustainable development  scenarios  in  port  operations  and  develop  a  tool  kit  for  green  ports  development.The outputs generated  from  this work  will  enable national  governments  to  support  and  guide  the development of new  policy  options for sustainable  port  development  in  the  WIO region.

Presentations made during this meeting can be found HERE.