Strengthening the Western Indian Ocean regional seas framework: a review of potential modalities

Un article écrit dans le cadre du projet ProtOIO "Supporting the development of an ICZM Protocol in the Western Indian Ocean and anticipating its future implementation" mené par l'Iddri, et co-financé par l'Union européenne et la Commission de l'océan Indien (Indian Ocean Commission, COI) à travers leur projet ReCoMaP, le Fonds français pour l'environnement mondial (FFEM, ou French Global Environment Facility) à travers le projet ACCLIMATE, et l'Iddri.

Points clés [en anglais] :

THE NAIROBI CONVENTION REGIONAL SYSTEM AT A CROSSROADS
After a period of low activity level due to lack of funding and political commitment, the Nairobi Convention regional system has been revitalised over the last decade. This translated most recently into the 2010 revision of the Nairobi Convention, the adoption of the Protocol for the protection of the marine and coastal environment of the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) from land-based sources and activities, as well as the launch of a process towards a Protocol on integrated coastal zone management (ICZM). However, the institutional structure of the regional system has not been developed at the same rhythm.

PATHWAYS TOWARDS STRENGTHENING THE NAIROBI CONVENTION REGIONAL SYSTEM
The report therefore reviews and assesses potential modalities to strengthen the regional system by setting up a technical capacity to help Parties implementing regional legal instruments. It analyses the various institutional mechanisms established in four other regions to support regional environmental governance. It looks into the needs to fulfil and prerequisites to do so, as well as into institutional, organisational and funding options. The cross-assessment of options concludes that at least all the topics covered by the Nairobi Convention and its related protocols should be addressed and that setting up a dedicated regional trust fund would be a robust strategy whatever the organisational modality chosen.

TURNING COMMITMENTS INTO EFFECTIVE CHANGE
Aimed at generating and feeding upcoming regional debates towards the next COP, the report invites informal and formal discussions between Nairobi Convention Contracting Parties but also involving non-State stakeholders and bi- and multilateral donors to narrow the range of options and agree on the next steps. In any case, the process of strengthening the WIO regional seas framework should not be blocked by preconceived ideas about funding issues: the report argues that realistic, sustainable and collaborative options do exist.