The Conference of Parties (COP) of the Nairobi Convention for the protection, management and development of the coastal and marine environment of the Western Indian Ocean is the highest decision-making organ of the Convention where regional conservation measures, enabling policies, management options, strategies and sustainable development pathways are agreed upon for the continued implementation of the Convention and its Protocols.
Theme - 'Regional Collaboration for a Sustainable Blue Economy: Enhancing Ocean Governance in the Western Indian Ocean'
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Function
The function of the ordinary meetings of the Contracting Parties is to keep under review the implementation of this Convention and its protocols and, in particular:
- To consider information submitted by the Contracting Parties under article 23;
- To adopt, review and amend annexes to this Convention and to its related protocols, in accordance with the provisions of article 20;
- To make recommendations regarding the adoption of any additional protocols or amendments to this Convention or its protocols in accordance with the provisions of articles 18 and 19;
- To establish working groups as required to consider any matters concerning this Convention and its protocols;
- To assess periodically the state of the environment in the Convention area;
- To consider cooperative activities to be undertaken within the framework of this Convention and its protocols, including their financial and institutional implications, and to adopt decisions relating thereto;
- To consider and undertake any additional action that may be required for the achievement of the purposes of this Convention and its protocols.
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The Government of Madagascar will host the 11th COP of the Nairobi Convention as the current Chair of the Bureau to take stock of progress made since the 10th COP which was held virtually in November 2021 due to the COVID pandemic. A lot has been achieved during the intersessional period focusing on different complementary themes addressing the triple planetary crises of biodiversity loss, pollution and waste, and climate change. The ongoing amendments to the ‘Biodiversity’ Protocol; development of a Regional Ocean Governance Strategy; a regional information management strategy; completion of a toolkit for Green Port Development for Blue Economy, *progressive development of an ecosystem indicator monitoring framework, strengthened strategic partnerships; and investments in regional capacity building such as marine spatial planning and, marine protected areas, information management, and many others in different domains relevant to the broad mandate of the Convention.
The 11th COP is being held against a backdrop of major global policy developments including the adoption of the High Seas Treaty, Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework, the Decade of Ocean Science and the Decade of Ecosystem Restoration among others. A new regional integrated programme and nested to it, a new Work Programme has been developed, to build on the current (2022-2024) Work Programme and also ensure linkages to these emerging global policy developments.
Explore COP 10 Decisions
| UNEP/EAF/COP.11/1 | Provisional Programme | EN | FR |
| UNEP/EAF/COP.11/2 |
Provisional Agenda (19 August 2024) | EN | FR |
| UNEP/EAF/COP.11/2.1 | Provisional Annotated Agenda | EN | FR |
| UNEP/EAF/COP.11/3 | Progress in the implementation of the Convention for the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Western Indian Ocean Region (Report of the Executive Director of UNEP) | EN | FR |
| Annex I: Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management of the Western Indian Ocean (2023) | EN | FR | |
| Annex II: Amendment of the Nairobi Convention Protocol Concerning Protected Areas and Wild Flora and Fauna in the Eastern African Region (2023) [(as finalised by UNEP legal officer on 6 June 2024)] | EN | FR (doc)
EN | FR (pdf) |
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| Status Report on Chondrichthyans of the Western Indian Ocean: Biodiversity, Fisheries and Trade, Management and Conservation | EN | FR | |
| Draft Policy Brief Summary for Regional Status Report on Sharks and Rays in the Western Indian Ocean Region | EN | FR | |
| Annex III: Draft Western Indian Ocean Regional Ocean Governance Strategy (2024) | EN | FR | |
| Annex IVa: Draft Western Indian Ocean Regional Information Management Strategy (IMS) (2024) | EN | FR | |
| Annex IVb: Ecosystem Economic Valuation Methodology for the Coastal and Marine Ecosystems | EN | FR | |
| Annex V: Regional Oil Spill Preparedness in Eastern Africa and the Western Indian Ocean (2020) | EN | FR | |
| Annex VI: Western Indian Ocean Marine Spatial Planning Strategy (2021) | EN | FR | |
| Annex VII: The Regional Framework for Ecosystem Monitoring in the Western Indian Ocean (2021) | EN | FR | |
| Annex VIII: Western Indian Ocean Strategic Framework for Coastal and Marine Water Quality Management | EN | FR | |
| Annex IX: Western Indian Ocean Science to Policy Platform Report (2023) | EN | FR | |
| Annex X: A Private Sector Engagement Strategy in the Western Indian Ocean Region | EN | FR | |
| Annex XI: Transboundary Diagnostic Analyses (TDA) | EN | FR | |
| Annex XII: Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (CCVA) toolkit | EN | FR | |
| Annex XIII: Western Indian Ocean Critical Habitats Outlook (2024)(EMBARGOED) | EN | FR | |
| Annex XIV: Western Indian Ocean Sustainable Ports: Scenario Analysis (2023) | EN | FR | |
| Annex XV: Western Indian Ocean Sustainable Port Development: Situation Assessment (2023) | EN | FR | |
| Annex XVI: Western Indian Ocean Sustainable Port Development: A Toolkit (2023) | EN | FR | |
| UNEP/EAF/COP.11/4 | Proposed Programme of Work for the period 2025–2028 for the implementation of the Nairobi Convention | EN | FR |
| UNEP/EAF/COP.11/5 | Draft Areas of Decision for the Eleventh Conference of Parties | EN | FR |
| UNEP/EAF/COP.11/Inf.1 | Provisional List of documents | EN | FR |
| UNEP/EAF/COP.11/Inf.1 Add. 1 | Logistical Information Note | EN |
| UNEP/EAF COP.11/Inf.2 | Nairobi Convention Focal Points Meeting Report (2024) | EN | FR |
| UNEP/EAF COP.11/Inf.3 | Tenth Conference of Parties (COP 10) Executive Director’s Report (2021) | EN | FR |
| Tenth Conference of Parties (COP 10) Final Report (2021) | EN | FR | |
| Tenth Conference of Parties (COP 10) Adopted Decisions (2021) | EN | FR | |
| Tenth Conference of Parties (COP 10) Approved Nairobi Convention Work Programme (2022 – 2024) | EN | FR | |
| Nairobi Convention Integrated Programme Summary | EN | FR | |
| UNEP/EAF COP.11/Inf.4 | Western Indian Ocean Science to Policy Platform Report (2021) | EN | FR |
| UNEP/EAF COP.11/Inf.5 | Publications, Guidelines and Reports – | |
| Effective Plastics Management in the Western Indian Ocean Region Report (2023) | EN | FR | |
| Western Indian Ocean Marine Litter Action Plan (2022) | EN | FR | |
| A Strategic Framework for Private Sector Engagement in the Western Indian Ocean Region (2021) | EN | FR | |
| Western Indian Ocean Sustainable Ports: Scenario Analysis (2023) | EN | FR | |
| Western Indian Ocean Sustainable Port Development: A Toolkit (2023) | EN | FR | |
| Western Indian Ocean Sustainable Port Development: Situation Assessment (2023) | EN | FR | |
| Western Indian Ocean Guidelines for Water and Sediment Quality Targets for Coastal and Marine Areas (2022) | EN | FR | |
| Western Indian Ocean Marine Protected Areas Outlook (2021) | EN | FR | |
| Status of conservation and management of ABNJs and BBNJs in the Western Indian Ocean Report (2024) | EN | FR | |
| Background Document for the Western Indian Ocean Regional Ocean Governance Strategy (2024) | EN | FR | |
| UNEP/EAF COP.11/Inf.6 | Protocols | |
| Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management of the Western Indian Ocean (2023) | EN | FR | |
| Amendment of the Nairobi Convention Protocol Concerning Protected Areas and Wild Flora and Fauna in the Eastern African Region (2022) | EN | FR | |
| Western Indian Ocean from Land-based Sources and Activities (LBSA) Protocol (2010) | EN | FR | |
| Protocol Concerning Endangered Wild Fauna and Flora in the Eastern Africa Region (1985) | EN | FR | |
| Justification for review and amendment of the Protocol Concerning Endangered Wild Fauna and Flora in the Eastern Africa Region (2023) | EN | FR | |
| Proposed areas of revision of the 1985 Protocol Concerning Endangered Wild Fauna and Flora in the Eastern Africa Region | EN | FR | |
| UNEP/EAF COP.11/Inf.7 | United Nations Environment Programme | |
| United Nations Environment Programme Medium Term Strategy (2022 – 2025) | EN | FR | |
| Regional Seas Strategic Directions (2022 – 2025) | EN | FR | |
| Twenty-Third Meeting of the Regional Seas Programme (2023) | EN | FR | |
| Sixth Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 6) Outcomes (2024) | EN | FR | |
| UNEP/EAF/COP.11/Inf.8 | Rules of Procedure for Meetings and Conferences of the Contracting Parties to the Convention for the Protection, Management and Development of the Coastal and Marine Environment of the Eastern African Region (2016) | EN |
Newsletter: The Eleventh Conference of Parties to the Nairobi Convention (COP 11)
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 successfully concluded with key Decisions aimed at safeguarding the region’s marine ecosystems adopted. Held from 20-22 August 2024 in Antananarivo, Madagascar, the…
COP 11 to the Nairobi Convention Concludes with Renewed Commitments to Enhanced Ocean Conservation and Governance
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…
Video: Join us at the Eleventh Conference of Parties to the Nairobi Convention
The Eleventh Conference of Parties to the Nairobi Convention – COP 11 will take place between August 20-22 2024, at CCI Ivato, Antananarivo Madagascar. The meetings of the Contracting Parties to the Nairobi Convention focus on reviewing its implementation and protocols. Key functions include evaluating submitted information, adopting amendments, establishing working groups, assessing environmental conditions,…
Water Quality Management in the Western Indian Ocean
The Nairobi Convention serves as a regional platform to address the challenges facing coastal and marine ecosystems in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) through collective interventions, dialogue, and partnerships. Contracting Parties, including Kenya, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Comoros, Mauritius, Madagascar, Reunion (France), and Seychelles, collaborate on national and regional actions to mitigate environmental stresses,…
Enhancing Regional Ocean Governance
Integrating Western Indian Ocean Governance Strategy with Africa-wide Ocean Governance Strategy Inspired by the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) Cairo Declaration of 2015, the Nairobi Convention’s contracting parties decided at COP 10 in November 2021 to develop a Regional Ocean Governance Strategy (ROGS) for the Western Indian Ocean (WIO). Since May 2022, a…
Infographics: Journey Toward the Eleventh Conference of Parties to the Nairobi Convention- COP 11
The Eleventh Conference of Parties to the Nairobi Convention (COP 11) will be a crucial gathering, enhancing ongoing efforts to protect, manage and develop the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region. It will take place between August 20-22 2024 in Antananarivo, Madagascar. As preparations intensify for the eleventh Conference of Parties to the Nairobi Convention (COP…
Journey Toward the Eleventh Conference of Parties to the Nairobi Convention- COP 11
The Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region, celebrated for its rich marine biodiversity and vital ecosystems like coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves, confronts mounting threats from anthropogenic and climate change-induced phenomena. Coral bleaching, sea-level rise, and intensified extreme weather events are among the pressing challenges endangering the region’s ecological balance. Recent catastrophic events, notably Cyclone…
Adopted COP 11 Decisions
Resources
