Finalization of the Regional Contingency Plan for Preparedness and Response to Major Marine Pollution Incidents in the Western Indian Ocean | Nairobi Convention Clearinghouse Mechanism

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Topics of the content:

Climate Change, Ecosystem Management, Environment and Conservation, Environmental Governance, Harmful Substances, Policy and Governance

Tags:

marine pollution, marine conservation, contingency plan, response, Western Indian Ocean

The threat of major oil spills poses a serious risk to the ecosystems and coastlines of coastal States worldwide. Experience shows that a good level of preparedness is key for a fast and effective response to such spills. The Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region is particularly vulnerable due to oil pollution from ships, oil exploration, and transportation. Oil spills can cause significant ecological and economic harm. To combat these risks, the international community supports oil spill preparedness in the region, promoting the ratification of the OPRC Convention and the Emergency Protocol of the Nairobi Convention. Countries in the WIO region that ratify these agreements commit to creating national and regional plans for oil spill readiness.

The Nairobi Convention's contracting parties have decided to take a regional approach to capacity building in the oil and gas sector. A key decision requested the secretariat to enhance regional response centers, review national spill plans, identify preparedness gaps, and create sensitivity maps for countries needing support. In March 2020, the Nairobi Convention Secretariat worked with the IMO and IOC-COI to hold a workshop on marine spill preparedness in Eastern Africa, leading to recommendations that included support for member countries to develop or update national contingency plans and related policies.

The grounding of MV Wakashio in Mauritius showcased the challenges of significant marine oil spills. In May 2021, a consultative meeting by the Indian Ocean Commission established plans to update national contingency plans and improve regional cooperation against marine pollution. By December 2021, the SAPPHIRE project had assisted in reviewing national plans ,and discussions about regional cooperation continued, encountering challenges in structuring and funding these initiatives. A training session on oil spill preparedness took place in May 2023, followed by ongoing discussions and exercises into 2024. The Nairobi Convention's Contracting Parties aim to finalize and implement the Regional Contingency Plan for oil spills.

The upcoming meeting will gather experts to discuss the draft plan and its adoption. will bring together Nairobi Convention and SAPPHIRE project focal points, experts responsible for oil spill preparedness and response issues as well as partners implementing oil spills intervention in the WIO region, to discuss the draft Regional Contingency Plan for Preparedness and Response to Major Marine Pollution Incidents in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region and its implementation plan and agree on steps towards adoption of the regional contingency plan at the 12th COP.

Download :

Concept Note_RCP Review_14-16 April 2025_03032025.pdf

Draft Agenda_RCP Review_14-16 April 2025_03032025.pdf

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