CSIR principal researchers Steven Weerts and Dr Susan Taljaard attended the 11th Conference of Parties for the Nairobi Convention (COP 11) at the invitation of its Secretariat. Here, they engaged in key issues dedicated to safeguarding the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region.

The Nairobi Convention, a regional treaty signed by South Africa, Tanzania, Somalia, the Seychelles, Mozambique, Mauritius, Madagascar, Kenya, France and the Comoros, provides a platform for governments, civil society and the private sector to collaborate for the sustainable management and use of the marine and coastal environment. By preserving the rich biodiversity of the region, sustainability of the resources for future generations can be ensured. Contracting parties meet every two years to discuss and agree upon policies and strategies.

Hosted by the Government of Madagascar in Antananarivo from 20 to 22 August, this year’s 11th gathering attracted environmental experts, partners, government representatives, academic institutions and the private sector. Bold new decisions were on the agenda, which, if adopted, would contribute to a more sustainable and equitable use of the region’s coastal and marine resources. The welcome speeches from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) delegation, Madagascar’s General Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development and the Head of the Nairobi Convention set the stage, emphasising the crucial role of partners in nurturing and safeguarding the Western Indian Ocean.

CSIR’s participation as a partner was based on its involvement as a technical leader in two projects to improve coastal and marine water quality management and sustainable port development in the West Indian Ocean. “Over the course of the conference, the CSIR’s contribution as a technical partner to UNEP was highlighted and very well received. Project outputs that we have developed over the last three to four years were presented to governments (contracting parties) in the region for adoption. This includes the work completed in the field of coastal and marine water quality (situation assessment, strategic framework, guidelines) and sustainable port development (situation assessment, scenario analysis, sustainable port development toolkit),” said Weerts.

The delegates spent three days delving into the challenges facing the marine and coastal ecosystems in the region, and the event ended with a call to action. Weerts shared, “We were delighted that our outputs and products were unanimously endorsed. It was a real privilege to witness firsthand the adoption of decisions by governments of the region that will see our science put to work in making a difference in people’s lives. We have already started on the roll-out and implementation phases of both parties. We’re working in partnerships. UNEP is active in facilitating our country-level training programmes in marine water quality management, and with the Port Management Association of Eastern and Southern Africa we are developing a programme to widen the uptake of our Green Port Toolkit.”