The Eleventh Meeting of the Conference of Parties (NC COP 11) to the Nairobi Convention for the Protection, Management, and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Western Indian Ocean Region concluded with Decisions aimed at ensuring the health and sustainability of the region’s marine ecosystems adopted. Held in Antananarivo, Madagascar between 20-22 August 2024, the meeting witnessed unprecedented participation from governments, private sector, academia, and Regional Economic Communities, fostering multi-stakeholder collaborations across the ten Contracting Parties.
Speaking at the conference, Ms. Elizabeth Mrema, UN Assistant Secretary-General & Deputy Executive Director, emphasized the need for practicality and ambition in conservation efforts, urging “us be practical, ambitious – and above all, collaborative – as we look at ways to protect and conserve the marine and coastal resources of the Western Indian Ocean region.” She continued, “we can plan for the impacts of climate change and save and restore biodiversity on which our lives depend.” Her words set the tone for the discussions, highlighting the importance of unity and foresight in tackling environmental challenges.
Mr. Flavien Joubert, the Minister for Agriculture, Climate Change and Energy Seychelles echoed this sentiment, stating, “By coming together with high ambition, we can also help accelerate change at the international level necessary for attaining the major targets on biodiversity, climate, and ocean.” His call for a unified regional approach underscored the need for concerted efforts to meet global environmental goals and targets.
Ms. Leah Wanambwa, Africa Union, underscored the importance of shared responsibility and regional collaboration, noting that “through regional collaboration, innovation, and commitment, we can address the challenges from marine pollution to overfishing, climate change to habitat destruction and achieve our shared goals of a healthy, productive, and sustainable ocean.”
For the first time at the Nairobi Convention Conference of Parties (COP), the private sector actively participated by sharing statements on their partnerships. Notable contributions came from Plastics SA and the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, represented by Mr. Douw Steyn and Ms. Miriam Bomett, respectively. Key partners like the African Circular Economy Network, the ACEN Foundation, and the German Development Cooperation at the Partners meeting and the Heads of Delegation meeting also emphasized their commitment to a sustainable Western Indian Ocean.
UNEP’s leadership stood out at COP 11, with impactful contributions from Dr. Susan Gardner, Director of the Ecosystems Division, and Ms. Elizabeth Mrema, UN Assistant Secretary-General & Deputy Executive Director. Dr. Gardner emphasized the Convention’s pivotal role in regional ocean governance during her opening remarks at the Focal Points Meeting and later underscored the urgency of decisive, collaborative action to protect our oceans in her keynote address at the third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) special session. Meanwhile, Ms. Mrema, in her opening statement at the Heads of Delegation meeting, called for practical, ambitious, and united efforts to safeguard the marine and coastal resources of the Western Indian Ocean.
Focal Points from Mozambique, Seychelles, Comoros, Kenya, Mauritius, South Africa, Tanzania, and Madagascar alongside the African Union on behalf of Regional Economic Communities and Commisions affirmed their dedication to the Convention’s goals through strong joint statements. Collectively, these statements highlighted the need for collaboration to secure a sustainable future for the Western Indian Ocean.
Follow this link to access keynote speeches and statements made by Partners and Contracting Parties at the Eleventh Conference of Parties to the Nairobi Convention.
Left to Right:
Ms. Elizabeth Mrema, Ms. Leah Wanambwa, Mr. Flavien Joubert
Election of New Nairobi Convention Bureau
At the Conference, the new leadership team for the Nairobi Convention Bureau was elected, with Tanzania assuming the role of Chair, Mauritius leading the Work Programme, South Africa managing Resource Mobilization, Somalia serving as the Coordination Vice Chair, and Madagascar, the former Chair, taking on the position of Rapporteur. This leadership restructuring reflects a commitment to dynamic and diverse governance.
Adopted COP 11 Decisions
Sixteen decisions were adopted at the eleventh conference of parties to the Nairobi Convention. In summary:
Integrated Regional Programme 2025-2035 and Programme of Work for 2025-2028: Approval and implementation of a 10-year Integrated Regional Programme (2025-2035) and a 4-year Programme of Work (2025-2028) to guide the Nairobi Convention’s activities, with regular reporting and monitoring frameworks established.
Financial Matters: Request for timely contributions from Contracting Parties and continued reporting on the Regional Seas Trust Fund’s status to support resource mobilization for the Programme of Work (2025-2028).
Conservation of Marine Biological Diversity Beyond National Jurisdiction: Encouragement for Parties to ratify the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and development of a regional implementation framework.
Combating Plastic Pollution: Emphasis on developing a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, revising the Regional Action Plan for Marine Litter, and strengthening research and collaborations.
Implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework: Urging Parties to align their policies with the Global Biodiversity Framework, enhance marine protected areas, and recognize community co-managed areas.
Regional Ocean Governance Strategy: Adoption of a Regional Ocean Governance Strategy and development of a long-term financing mechanism for sustainable implementation.
Information Management Strategy: Implementation of the Information Management Strategy, including a centralized data infrastructure for the Western Indian Ocean region.
Strengthening the Science-Policy Interface: Integration of scientific research into policy-making and promotion of regional and national dialogues to improve ocean governance.
Ratification of Amended Nairobi Convention and its Protocols: Urging Parties to ratify the Amended Convention and protocols on land-based activities and coastal zone management.
Mainstreaming Climate Change in Marine Biodiversity Protection: Operationalization of the Regional Climate Change Strategy and development of climate finance mechanisms.
Conservation of Critical Habitats and Species: Strengthening measures for blue carbon ecosystems and threatened species protection, and development of a regional seagrass strategy.
Improving Environmental Quality through Source-to-Sea Approaches: Support for managing coastal and marine water quality and pollution using integrated approaches.
Strengthening Marine Spatial Planning: Development of a regional vision for marine spatial planning and encouragement of ecosystem-based planning tools.
Economic Valuation and Ocean Accounting: Development of tools and methodologies for ocean and natural capital accounting to support sustainable blue economy goals.
Environmental Impacts of Large Infrastructure Projects: Collaborative measures to mitigate transboundary environmental impacts of large infrastructure projects.
Support for Projects and Partnerships: Encouragement of partnerships and programs that leverage climate change and biodiversity funding to support ongoing and new projects in the Western Indian Ocean region.
COP 11 to the Nairobi Convention concluded with a renewed call for strengthening partnerships and securing financial support to implement the Nairobi Convention. The outcomes of the Eleventh Meeting of the Conference of Parties will play an important role in shaping the future of marine and coastal management in the Western Indian Ocean region, reaffirming the commitment of the Contracting Parties to protect and sustainably manage their shared ocean.
