Abidjan Convention

The Abidjan Convention

A. Overview

The Convention covers the marine environment, coastal zones and related inland waters falling within the jurisdiction of the States of the West and Central and Southern African Region, from Mauritania to the Western coast of South Africa inclusive – a distance of just over 14,000 kilometres along the coast.

The coastal waters within the convention area contain highly productive ecosystems that support rich fisheries. The coastal area also supports coastal tourism, industries and numerous busy ports. These ecosystems provide an important livelihood for many coastal communities. The coastal waters of the Convention area contain highly productive ecosystems that support rich fisheries. However, there have been serious conflicts resulting in immense human suffering and poverty. In the last three decades or so, the rapid development, improper use of resources and extensive pollution has harmed coastal ecosystems. The region, however, has seen serious conflicts resulting in immense human suffering and poverty. In the last three decades or so, the rapid development, improper use of resources and extensive pollution has impacted negatively on the coastal ecosystems.

Coastal erosion and floods are key problems, likely to be exacerbated by climate change. Destruction of critical habitats is widespread in the convention area, and coastal communities are both the perpetrators and victims of this destruction.

B. Introduction

The Convention for Cooperation in the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Atlantic Coast of the West and Central Africa Region (Abidjan Convention) came into force in 1984. Recognizing the ecological uniqueness of the marine environment and coastal areas in the region, the threats to it and the need for action, the countries of the region met in 1981 and signed the Convention and its Protocol. They also adopted a plan of action for the protection and development of the marine environment and coastal zones of the region. The Convention and its Protocol on Cooperation in Combating Pollution in the Event of Emergencies were signed in 1981. South Africa, which was not a party to the Convention in 1981, applied for accession in 2000 and ratified it in 2002. In 2017, the Convention received instruments of ratification from Angola and Namibia. Cape Verde has recently (2019) acceded to the Convention. As of today, the Convention has 19 Contracting Parties.

The Abidjan Convention is a framework agreement which was born out of the need for a regional approach to prevent, reduce and control pollution of the marine environment, coastal waters and related river waters in West, Central and Southern Africa. The Convention provides a framework for cooperation on marine and coastal environments, knowledge, environmental hazards, pollution, habitats, biodiversity, sustainable resource use and other activities that may have a negative impact on the health of ecosystems. The Convention promotes scientific and technological collaboration (including exchanges of information and expertise) as a means of identifying and managing environmental issues.

The Convention’s secretariat states its mission as to “Protect, Conserve and Develop the Abidjan Convention Area and its Resources for the Benefit and Well-being of its People.”

C. Organizational structure

1. Contracting Parties: The Contracting Parties that have ratified the Abidjan Convention are Benin, Cameroon, the Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Togo. Angola, Cape Verde, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Namibia, and Sao Tome and Principe are located in the Abidjan Convention area but have not yet ratified the Convention 
2. Focal Points: They are responsible for the coordination of national efforts toward implementing the Convention and its Protocols
3. Secretariat: Its responsible for the coordination of Convention activities. It is based in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

D. The Convention and its legal instruments

1. The Convention for Co-operation in the Protection and Development of the Marine and Coastal environment of the West and Central African Region and protocol. It was signed in Abidjan on 23 March 1981 and ratified for Guinea-Bissau by Resolution No. 22/2010 on 12 February 2012. 
2. Protocol on integrated coastal zone management 
3. Protocol on sustainable mangrove management 
4. Protocol on environmental norms and standards for offshore oil and gas exploration and exploitation activities 
5. Protocol concerning the Cooperation in the Protection and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment from Land-Based Sources and the Activities (LBSA) in the Western, Central and Southern Africa Region was signed and officially adopted in 2012
6. Protocol Concerning Co-operation in Combating Pollution in Cases of Emergency in the Western and Central African Region adopted in 1985

E. Areas of work 

Abidjan Convention work programme successfully carries out several activities. The work programme strengthens the role of the Convention as a platform for promoting synergies and ensuring the coordinated implementation of regional initiatives for the protection of the marine environment and coastal areas. The 2020-2021 Work Programme is divided into components based on the strategic priorities used in previous work programmes.

1. Assessments - This component focuses on ecosystem and habitat assessment activities. Examples include ecosystems and resources, pollution both offshore, in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and in the coastal zone, and social and economic issues including the enhancement and economic appraisal of the goods and services provided by the marine and coastal environment.
2. Management – The Secretariat will implement programmes and activities aimed at reducing or preventing the degradation of coastal and marine environments. It will focus on the sustainable enhancement activities for resources through field projects and programmes.
3. Coordination and Political and Legal Issues – Emphasis here is on the revision and updating of the Abidjan Convention and its Protocol, the preparation of additional Protocols on specific topics, action plans for the implementation of the said protocols, improved coordination of activities (including reporting and information exchange procedures) and institutional strengthening for enforcing the Convention
4. Communication and information technologies. This component deals with exchange of information with State-Parties, partners, local communities and public awareness, stakeholders’ empowerment and capacity building.

F. Partnerships

The formulation and implementation of the programme of work is a collaborative effort based on partnership between the secretariat, Governments, donors and non-governmental organizations. These partners include: GRID-Arendal, the United States Agency for International Development, through the West African Biodiversity and Climate Change Programme, the MAVA Foundation, the World Bank, the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations-Institute for Advance Sustainability Studies (Potsdam), the Alliance of Parliamentarians and Local Elected Officials for the Protection of the West African Coastline, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, Wetlands International, the World Wide Fund for Nature, the Regional Marine and Coastal Conservation Programme for West Africa, the subregional fisheries commissions, the OSPAR Commission for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic, the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, the Convention on Biological Diversity, BirdLife International, the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, the United States Africa Command, Africa Business Network and other relevant organizations.

G. Ongoing projects

1. Mami Wata project “Enhancing Marine Management in West, Central and Southern Africa through Training and Application” implemented by the partners GRID-Arendal and the Abidjan Convention Secretariat, and the project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), through its International Climate Initiative (IKI).
2. The project on the creation of MPAs, thanks to the Swedish Ministry of Environment and Energy and Abidjan Convention countries  is arousing more and more interest for coastal populations who are increasingly adopting biodiversity protection and conservation principles. In view of these satisfactory and encouraging achievements, the Abidjan Convention Au regard de ces acquis satisfaisants et encourageants, the Abidjan Convention wishes to share these experiences in order to qualitatively boost the Convention’s LMEs  (BCLME, CCLME and GCLME)
3. GEF Coastal Fisheries Initiatives in partnership with CFI
4. Cooperation in the protection, management and development for the marine environment and coastal zones of the Atlantic coast of the West, Central and Southern Africa region in partnership with MAVA Nature Foundation
5. West Africa- Biodiversity and Climate Change Project in partnership with West Africa Biodiversity and Climate Change (WA BiCC)
6. West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project for Climate Change Adaptation (WACA ResIP-CCA) in partnership with World Bank
7. The Abidjan Aquatic Wildlife Partnership, a non-binding multi-stakeholder partnership focused on increasing the awareness and action of governments of  West, Central and Southern Africa region to reduce and stop the consumption, illegal trade of aquatic species including Aquatic Endangered, Threatened or Protected (A-ETP) species such as marine mammals and reptiles for human consumption, wildlife trade, fishing bait.
8. Capacity building related to Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEA) in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Countries -Phase 111 - (ACP-MEA’s)

H. Key Achievements

• 4 protocols were adopted in 2019 during a meeting of Abidjan Convention plenipotentiaries

i) The Calabar Protocol on Sustainable Mangrove Management;

ii) Grand Bassam Protocol on Pollution from Land-based Sources and Activities;

iii) Malabo Protocol on Environmental Standards and Guidelines for Offshore Oil and Gas Activities;

iv) Pointe Noire Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management.

• Finalization and adoption of the Abidjan Declaration on Integrated Ocean Management Policies in Africa
• revitalization process that had led to an increase in the number of ratifying States
• adoption and signature of the protocol on sustainable development of mangrove ecosystems.

I. Interesting facts (About the Convention or the Contracting Parties)

• Calabar in Cross River State Nigeria has the largest mangrove in Africa and the third largest in the world. The mangrove forests host some of the world’s iconic species of fishes, crabs, snails, oysters, red mangrove and Avicenia Species
• The mangroves protocol is the only protocol of its kind. None of the Regional Seas Conventions have ever developed such an instrument.
• Africa’s Atlantic coast is rich in natural resources, biodiversity and marine ecosystems – one of the richest and most productive in the world.

Contact Us

II Plateaux-Vallon - Rue Harris Memel Foteh,
Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan
Tel: +225 22 514 600
Fax: +225 +225 22514602
unenvironment-abidjan-convention@un.org

Website: www.abidjanconvention.org