Contracting Parties to the Nairobi Convention participated in the 11th Conference of the parties from 20th to 22nd August in Antananarivo (Madagascar). The theme for this 11th COP was: Regional Collaboration for a sustainable Blue Economy: Enhancing Ocean Governance in the Western Indian Ocean.
The COP is considered as a decision-making body 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. The COP is also an opportunity for the contracting parties to renew their commitments to the Convention and its protocols. Three meetings, were held during the 11th COP, mainly the Partners meeting, National Focal Points meeting and the Contracting Parties (Heads of delegation) meeting.
The contracting parties of the Convention considered progress made by the contracting parties in protecting the Western Indian Ocean region since the 10th Conference of Parties which took place in 2021.
The proposed work programme for the year 2025-2028 for the implementation of the Convention and its protocols was also presented for adoption. This has been developed to ensure that the Convention’s activities align to Global Policy commitments, and designed to achieve the overall objective of strengthening the role of the Nairobi Convention as a platform for promoting collaboration, synergies and coordinating implementation of regional initiatives for the protection of the marine and coastal environment. The new programme of Works consists of five main components namely 1) Ocean’s Governance and Management, 2) Area based planning, 3) Improved Environmental Quality, 4) Biodiversity Conservation, 5) Regional Coordination, Collaboration and Knowledge Management
During his intervention, Minister Joubert reaffirmed Seychelles commitment towards achieving the vision of the Nairobi Convention to advance the protection of coastal wetland ecosystems, in particular seagrasses whereby we have pledged in our NDC to protect at least 50% of seagrasses and mangroves by 2025, and 100% by 2030. The Minister highlighted some of the tangible actions taking place at the national level namely being the first country within the region to ratify the (Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction) BBNJ treaty, updating our National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan in order to align with the Kuming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), the development the country’s land use plan taking into consideration key biodiversity areas, green corridors and terrestrial protected areas. He further informed the meeting that Seychelles is in the process of reviewing the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan with the support of the Convention.
During the 11th COP the United Republic of Tanzania was appointed as the new chair of the Convention Bureau.
The Seychelles delegation, headed by the Minister for Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment Mr. Flavien Joubert. Other members of the delegation were Mrs. Nanette Laure the National Focal Point for the Nairobi Convention, Ms. Marie-May Jeremie Chief Executive Officer Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust (SeyCCAT), Ms. Ashley Dias, Director Biodiversity and Conservation Management (Department of Environment), Ms. Anie Simeon, Principal Climate Adaptation Officer (Department of Climate Change) and Ms. Annike Faure, Coastal Wetlands and Climate Change Manager (SeyCCAT).