Towards a Synergistic Strategic Action Programme

for the WIO Region

A Roadmap for the Development and Implementation of Priority Strategies and

Actions for the Sustainable Development and Management of the WIO Coastal and Marine

Ecosystems

Addressing land-based activities in the Western Indian Ocean

Agenda

Objectives of the workshop Towards a Synergistic GEF Programme for

the WIO Region; the SAP development process

Mechanisms for engagement of projects and partners in the SAP development process

Discussion on the objectives and agenda of the stocktaking meeting

Goal and Objective

To enhance the coordination between GEF projects in the WIO region, in particular as it concerns the development of a synergistic GEF programme based on a comprehensive TDA and SAP.

To discuss the agenda of a policy-level stocktaking meeting to be organized back to back with the Conference of Parties to the Nairobi Convention, in March 2010.

The SAP development process Led by the WIO-LaB, ASCLMEs

and SWIOFP Projects Overall coordination by

ASCLMEs Project WIO-LaB TDA and SAP finalised

Objective of the SAP

The overall objective of the SAP is to promote the sustainable development in the Western Indian Ocean Region by strengthening the management of coastal and marine resources, in the various jurisdictions of the WIO Region, on the basis of an ecosystem-based management approach

How Did We Get Here?

Eastern African Action Plan (1985) SAP for Land-based Sources and

Activities Management (1999) Preliminary Strategic Action Plan

(2002) Launch of WIO-LaB, ASCLME and

SWIOFP Projects (2004-2007) WIO-LaB SAP (2009)

Possible Elements of the SAP Management of fishery resources Management of critical coastal

habitats Management of coastal water quality Management of river basins Climate change adaptation Improved governance and awareness

Today’s Situation

Governments in the WIO region are increasingly investing in the preservation of their coastal and marine environment for the goods of their population

Important support is provided by several major Inter-Governmental and Non-Governmental organisations that are active in the region

The Western Indian Ocean region is currently hosting a large portfolio of different GEF and non-GEF funded projects and programmes

There is therefore great momentum on which the SAP can be built

Objectives of the stocktaking meeting Agree with Governments and partners on the overall

long-term vision for the WIO coastal and marine environment

Define the general components of a strategy/roadmap leading towards achieving this long-term vision

Take stock of all ongoing projects and programmes, in regard to their contribution to achieving the long-term vision, as well as in providing elements for further definition of the SAP

Review possible regional Governance structures for implementation of the SAP

Identify priority areas of intervention based upon the WIO-LaB SAP (and other related strategies?)