Abidjan Convention Secretariat

The Extraordinary Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Abidjan Convention held at the International Convention Centre, Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa

It is well known that the Abidjan Convention area covers some of the most productive coastal and marine ecosystems in the world, rich in oil, gas and mineral resources and with a great potential for tourism. The coastal zones of the convention area are hubs for intense socio-economic activities, centres of human settlements, transport, industrial and commercial activities.

In November 2007 the Abidjan Convention held its 8th Meeting of the Contracting Parties (COP 8) in Johannesburg South Africa. During COP8, the Contracting Parties to the Abidjan Convention, adopted decision CP8/8 to revitalize the Convention to ensure its effective implementation and established a Working Group comprising the members of the Convention Bureau, namely: South Africa, Gambia, Senegal and Ghana, to oversee the revitalization process. The Contracting Parties also requested the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to facilitate the preparation of a set of recommendations and an action plan for a phased transfer of the Secretariat to the Convention from Nairobi to Cote d’Ivoire which would ultimately lead to full ownership by the Contracting Parties.

The Contracting Parties further agreed to hold an Extraordinary Meeting of the Contracting Parties Session back-to-back with the 12th Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) in Johannesburg in June 2008 to consider and decide on the recommendations for revitalizing the Abidjan Convention.

Final Report of the Report of the first extraordinary meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Abidjan Convention held in Johannesburg, South Africa, 9-10 June 2008

 [English]

Background information to the Extraordinary Meeting

In response to the request UNEP, in collaboration with the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Senegal Office undertook a study and consulted on the revitalization of the Convention.

Stakeholders Meeting, Dakar, Senegal

Between 1 and 3 April 2008, UNEP organized a stakeholders meeting in Dakar, Senegal to review the findings of the study and make appropriate recommendations. The 3 Commissions of the large marine ecosystems projects, namely, Canary, Benguela and Guinea and other key stakeholders implementing marine and coastal programmes and projects in the Convention area were widely consulted and involved in making the recommendations.

Bureau Meeting to the Convention, Dakar, Senegal

Subsequently, the Bureau to the Convention held a meeting in Dakar on 10 May 2008, reviewed the recommendations and prepared draft decisions for consideration by the Extraordinary Meeting of the Contracting Parties.

The draft decisions are focused on:

1. enhancing institutional arrangements and collaboration,
2. promoting ratifications/accessions to the Convention,
3. reviewing the mandate and objectives of the Convention,
4. transferring the Secretariat functions from Nairobi to Abidjan,
5. improving contributions to the trust fund and funding for the Convention, and
6. an action plan for the revitalization process.

Extraordinary Meeting, Johannesburg, South Africa

This Extraordinary Meeting therefore considered the draft decisions from the Bureau as well as agreed on measures to transform the Convention into a tool for sustainable utilization of coastal and marine resources for socio-economic growth in the Convention area. The outcome of the Extraordinary Meeting will serve as the framework for revitalizing the Abidjan Convention.

An Extraordinary Experts Meeting attended by National Focal Points to the Abidjan Convention and further reviewed the draft decisions prepared by the Bureau and the mentioned Extraordinary Meeting of the Contracting Parties was held at the International Convention Centre in Committee Room 2 on 10 June from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm.

The Republic of South Africa was the Chair of the Bureau to the Convention. The Ministers of Environment from the Contracting Parties countries of Benin, Cameroon, Democratic Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Togo attending the 12th AMCEN Session attended the Extraordinary Meeting. Also invited to attend and participate were the Ministers of Environment from the 8 non-contracting Parties countries of Angola, Cape Verde, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mauritania, Namibia and Sao Tome and Principe.

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The Abidjan Convention is pleased to announce the first meeting tenure of the “biodiversity, habitats and water quality” component of the “Protection of the Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem” (CCLME) project, the 11-12 April 2012 in Nouakchott, Mauritania.

CCLME project presentation and Abidjan Convention involvement

The Canary Current large marine ecosystem (CCLME), whose effects extend from Morocco to Guinea, via the Canary Islands and Cape Verde, has one of the highest biological productivity in the world. The annual fish production of the CCLME area is between 2 and 3 million tons. This productivity is threatened by a set of environmental and anthropogenic factors including overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, climate change.
The CCLME project aims to improve the capacity of participating countries to address transboundary issues relating to fisheries declines, threats to biodiversity, habitat degradation and water quality through governance reforms, investment and programs management. This objective is consistent with the priority thematic of the Convention for its 2012-2015 program, particularly in the case of i) The assessment of goods and services provided by ecosystems and coastal and marine habitats and ii) Managing the implementation of programs and activities to reduce or prevent degradation of the marine environment and coastal areas.

The project is funded by the Global Environment Fund (GEF) with co-financing from participating countries and other partners. It is run by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) in a concerted effort to fight against the degradation of the Canary Current large marine ecosystem caused by overfishing, habitat alteration and changes in water quality by adopting an ecosystemic approach to fisheries.

This phase will last five years with the seven participating countries: Cape Verde, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mauritania, Morocco, Senegal and Gambia.

Component 3 “Biodiversity, Habitats & Water quality”
The CCLME is one of three major ocean currents within the Convention area, the others being the Guinea Current (GCLME) and Bengal current (BCLME). Under the revitalization plan of the Convention and in previous COP, States Parties have made clear that the Convention should also deal with fisheries related challenges in its area of operations. Therefore, the convention has worked to join this project and has been given the responsibility for the execution of component 3 "Biodiversity, Habitats and Water Quality" on behalf of UNEP.

To do so, the Convention has recruited Mr Brahim Khallahi, based in Dakar, to coordinate activities under this component that aims i) to address gaps in knowledge on critical habitats, biodiversity and water quality problems; ii) to build capacity in policy development and planning on these topics and iii) to formulate a regional plan of mangroves conservation and restoration.

This project is an opportunity for the Convention to meet the contracting parties’ requests and to implement its work program 2012-2015 in order to achieve the objectives it has set, at least for the coastal countries from Mauritania to Guinea. The Convention, supported by UNEP, however, continues its efforts for the other countries and hopes to achieve effective involvement throughout its area of intervention in the near future through collaborations with multiple projects including the GEF funding projects BCLME and GCLME.

Working Group (WG)

To achieve its objectives, the project will monitor the CCLME area status based on scientific results. During the preparatory phase of the project, a series of consultations resulted in a Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) which defined the preliminary priority on transboundary problems and proposed actions to overcome them. The project is based on a process of consultations within the working groups’ framework whose aim is to improve the preliminary TDA but also to feed it. Therefore, the WG on biodiversity, habitat and water quality will ensure that issues related to this "new issues" are well reflected in the TDA.
The working group of the component 3 consists of a panel of experts representing different CCLME countries but also institutions and international research centers active in the area. These include the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO) and the Institute for Research & Development (IRD). The WG will meet as required by the participants and activities need. During this first meeting, the date and terms of reference of the next WG meeting will be discussed and fixed.

Objectives and expected results of the WG meeting

Objectives

• Produce national reports on data and information including policy and legislative gaps in the areas of biodiversity protection, habitat and water quality;
• To compile data on pollution and ecosystem health in CCLME countries;
• Recommend work on biodiversity, habitat and water quality to be included in the activities of eco-systemic campaigns conducted on board Dr. F. Nansen;
• Propose an action plan of the WG (in tabular form that identifies the activities, responsibilities and deadlines).

Expected results

• Existing database on pollution in the countries are identified and compiled
• An assessment of data and information including policy and legislative gaps in the areas of biodiversity protection, habitat and water quality is achieved

 Download Meeting Program [English]

Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire), 28-29 August, 2012 – The Secretariat of the Abidjan Convention is pleased to inform you of the organization of a workshop for the review and approval of the Report for the establishment of an ad hoc Committee on Science and Technology by the Convention.

At the last Meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP9) of the Abidjan Convention and its Emergency Protocol which was held in Accra, Ghana in March and April 2011, a total of 16 decisions among which is CP.9/10 regarding the creation of an ad hoc Committee on Science and Technology for the Convention, was taken. That particular decision reads as follows:

Decision CP. 9/10.Establishment of a Committee on Science and Technology

1. 1.To endorse the creation of an ad hoc “Committee on Science and Technology” to provide scientific, technical and technological advice, relating to the implementation of the Convention.
   1. 2.To request the Secretariat to begin consultations with relevant international, regional and national institutions with a view to developing the mandate, institutional structure, operational mode, and funding of the Committee.

1. 3.To further request the Secretariat to submit the report of the consultations, with appropriate recommendations including a focused and budgeted two–year Work Plan of the Committee derived from the Programme of Work of the Convention, following a result-based approach, for the consideration of the Contracting Parties.

Furthermore, at the last Meeting of the Abidjan Convention Bureau, held from 18 to 19 January 2012, it was decided that activities leading to the creation of the Committee on Science and Technology should become a priority for the Secretariat.

On the basis of the above, the Abidjan Convention Secretariat in May, 2012, put in place a mechanism for hiring an experienced Consultant, to drive the process of establishing the Committee, in line with the decision of the Conference of Parties stated above. Following a keenly contested competitive process, a choice was made in June 2012 and approval by UNEP DEPI was subsequently granted. One month afterwards, a draft Report has been prepared.

The objectives of the workshop are to (i) review the draft report, (ii) adapt the suggestions made, (iii) approve the recommendations on the establishment of an ad hoc Committee on Science and Technology for the Abidjan Convention and, (iv) prepare a draft decision on the matter to be submitted to CPs at COP10..

The expected outcome from the 2-day Meeting will include the approval of (i) the criteria used for the selection of members, (ii) a two-year programme of work, (iii) the mandate for the ad hoc Committee to be established, (iv) the institutional structure for the establishment of the Committee as well as the preparation of an elaborate draft decision for  submission at COP10.

The workshop methodology will include: (i) a chapter by chapter review of the Consultant report, (ii) aggregation of comments and suggestions made by the participants, (iii) injection of comments and suggestions from the participants into the report and, (iv) adoption and approval of the report.

Participants for this workshop include academicians, science and technology experts, United Nations Representatives, senior civil servants, political science and oceanography experts as well as marine and coastal environment specialists.

The outcome of the Workshop will, in addition to meeting an important decision taken by COP9 in Accra, Ghana in 2011, enhance the capacity of the Abidjan Convention to find scientific and technological solutions to issues relating to the protection and development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Region.

Notes to the Editors:

The Abidjan Convention is a legal tool for Cooperation in the Protection and Development of the Marine and Coastal Region of West, Central and Southern Africa. It has an emergency protocol on oil spills and entered into force in 1984. The Protocol concerning the Cooperation in the Protection and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment from Land-Based Sources and the Activities (LBSA) of the Convention was adopted in Grand-Bassam, Cote d’Ivoire in June 2012.  The Convention covers 22 countries bordering the Atlantic coast of West Africa from Mauritania to South Africa. The Convention is administered by the United Nations Environment (UNEP) with Headquarters based in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Refer to  www.abidjanconvention.depiweb.org for details.

For more information, please contact: Abou Bamba, Abidjan Convention, UNEP, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. "> This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Le Secrétariat de la Convention d'Abidjan a le plaisir de vous informer de l'organisation du 28 au 29 août 2012 à Abidjan, Côte d’ivoire, de la réunion du groupe d’experts pour  l'établissement d'un comité ad hoc sur la science et technologie pour la Convention.

Lors de la dernière réunion de la Conférence des Parties (COP 9) à la Convention d'Abidjan et de son Protocole d'urgence qui s'est tenue à Accra, au Ghana, en mars et avril 2011, 16 décisions ont été prises parmi lesquelles la décision CP.9/10 concernant la création d’un comité ad hoc  sur la science et la technologie pour la Convention. Cette décision  est libellée comme suit:

En outre, lors de la dernière réunion du Bureau de la Convention d'Abidjan, qui s'est tenue du 18 au 19 Janvier 2012 à Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, il a été décidé que les activités menant à la création du Comité  sur la Science et la Technologie  devraient constituer une priorité pour le Secrétariat.

Sur cette base, le Secrétariat de la Convention d'Abidjan, a mis en place en mai 2012 un mécanisme pour le recrutement d'un consultant expérimenté afin de préparer le processus devant aboutir à la création du Comité, conformément à la décision de la Conférence des Parties mentionnées ci-dessus. Suite à un processus de sélection très concurrentiel, la Division de la Mise en Œuvre des Politiques Environnementales du PNUE a approuvé le choix d’un expert de haut niveau en Juin 2012. Un mois plus tard, un projet de rapport a été préparé et est disponible pour animer la discussion sur le projet de création dudit comité.

Les objectifs de la réunion du groupe d’experts  sont: (i) la révision du projet de rapport, (ii) l’adoption des suggestions faites, (iii) l’approbation des recommandations sur la mise en place d'un Comité ad hoc  sur la science et la technologie pour la Convention d'Abidjan et, (iv) la préparation d’un projet de décision sur la question à soumettre aux parties contractantes à la COP 10.

Les résultats attendus de cette réunion de deux jours comprennent l'approbation: (i)  des critères utilisés pour la sélection des membres, (ii) d’un programme de travail  sur deux ans, (iii) du mandat du Comité ad hoc à mettre en place, (iv) de la structure institutionnelle pour l‘établissement du comité, ainsi que du projet de décision à soumettre à la COP10.

La méthodologie de travail de l'atelier inclura: (i) la revue chapitre par chapitre  du rapport du Consultant, (ii) l'agrégation des observations et suggestions formulées par les participants, (iii) l’inclusion des commentaires et suggestions des participants dans le rapport et, (iv) l'adoption et l'approbation du rapport.

Les participants à cet atelier sont des universitaires, des scientifiques et des experts en technologie, des représentants des Nations Unies, des hauts fonctionnaires, des experts en  sciences politiques et en océanographie ainsi que des spécialistes de l'environnement marin et côtier.

Les résultats de l'atelier seront, en plus de satisfaire une importante décision prise par la COP9 à Accra, au Ghana, en 2011, de renforcer la capacité de la Convention d'Abidjan pour trouver des solutions scientifiques et technologiques à des problèmes relatifs à la protection et au développement de l'environnement marin et des zones côtières  de la région.

Notes aux éditeurs :

La Convention d'Abidjan est un outil juridique de coopération pour la protection et le développement de la région marine et côtière de l’Afrique occidentale,  centrale et australe. Il dispose d'un protocole d'urgence sur les déversements d'hydrocarbures et est entré en vigueur en 1984. Le protocole relatif à la coopération pour la protection et le développement de l'environnement marin et côtier contre la pollution due aux sources et activités terrestres  (LBSA) de la Convention a été adopté à Grand-Bassam, en Côte d'Ivoire en Juin 2012. La Convention couvre 22 pays riverains de la côte atlantique de l'Afrique de l'Ouest de la Mauritanie à l'Afrique du Sud. La Convention est administrée par le Programme des Nations Unies pour l'Environnement (PNUE) et a son siège à Abidjan, Côte-d'Ivoire. Reportez-vous à www.abidjanconvention.depiweb.org  pour plus de détails.

Pour plus d'informations, vous pouvez contacter: Abou Bamba, Convention d'Abidjan, PNUE, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. "> This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.