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African Process for the Development and Protection of the Marine and Coastal Environment in Sub-Saharan Africa
[last updated January 3, 2004 11:29 PM]
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General Information
Partnership website(s) |
Expected TimeframeSeptember Pre 2002 - February 2003 |
Partners
Governments:
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Major Groups:
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UN System:
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Other intergovernmental organizations:
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Thematic Focus
Primary Themes:
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Secondary Themes:
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Geographic Coverage
Geographic Scope: Sub-regional Sub-Saharan Africa
Country(ies) where the partnership is being implemented: Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania |
National Focal Points
At present, no information is available as to whether the partnership has made contact with the national focal points for sustainable development in the relevant countries.
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Goals and Objectives
Summary of the partnership's goals and objectives
* To identify areas, sites or living resources that are either suffering measurable degradation (i.e. hot-spots) or threatened with future degradation (sensitive areas) and to determine, through root-cause analysis, the leading causes of these impacts, taking into consideration scientific, technical and socio-economic factors.
* To design a programme of interventions, including demonstration projects and pre-investment studies, addressing problems of regional priority. Some projects are regional in scope, and focus on groups of countries united by geographic location or identified common problems. Site-specific projects of priority for the participating countries are also included.
* To strengthen existing regional institutions, in particular the Nairobi and Abidjan Conventions, and to establish synergies with relevant programmes and projects.
* To provide a framework for facilitating the mobilization of resources for the sustainable development of the marine and coastal environment, given that available funds for such projects are very limited.
* To produce a self-sustaining model that can be replicated in other regions or thematic areas in order to develop interventions that contribute to the goals of sustainable development.
* To design a programme of interventions, including demonstration projects and pre-investment studies, addressing problems of regional priority. Some projects are regional in scope, and focus on groups of countries united by geographic location or identified common problems. Site-specific projects of priority for the participating countries are also included.
* To strengthen existing regional institutions, in particular the Nairobi and Abidjan Conventions, and to establish synergies with relevant programmes and projects.
* To provide a framework for facilitating the mobilization of resources for the sustainable development of the marine and coastal environment, given that available funds for such projects are very limited.
* To produce a self-sustaining model that can be replicated in other regions or thematic areas in order to develop interventions that contribute to the goals of sustainable development.
Targets and Progress
Partnership targetsThe African Process will result in a series of targeted, concrete project proposals in five thematic areas identified as regional priorities by teams of African experts: coastal erosion, management of key ecosystems and habitats, sustainable use of living resources, pollution and tourism (a sectoral priority). The proposals will have been developed by 5 regional working groups that will incorporate national priorities and concerns into sub-regional and regional interventions. These will be integrated into a single portfolio, the Programme of Interventions, which will be adopted at a final Preparatory Committee and endorsed at the Partnership Conference, to be held at the level of Heads of State during WSSD in accordance with the decision of the OAU Summit in Lusaka, July 2001.
Prospective partners and donors will have an opportunity to review the emerging project proposals early on in order to enable their active participation in the development of those interventions of interest. Therefore, the final products that will emerge will be the result of true partnerships between African experts, regional and international partners, and international donors. In addition, linkages are being established with ongoing programmes and projects in order to strengthen synergies between initiatives and avoid duplication of efforts. Review of proposals developed by the five thematic working groups, and initial commitment by partners/donors to specific interventions: May 2002 Adoption of the Programme of Interventions at the final Preparatory Committee: June 2002 Endorsement of the Programme of Interventions at the Partnership Conference by participating governments, and formal announcement of commitment in support of the proposals within the framework of the Programme of Interventions and the African Process itself: September 2002 Monitoring of implementation of projects: February 2003 |
Progress against targetsNone reported as of 12/03
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Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
Arrangements for Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
- Human resources development/training
- Education/building awareness
The methodology of the first phase GEF MSP of the African Process, which has been developed entirely by African experts, is based on the GIWA methodology; therefore, the 42 experts that participated in it have been trained in a comprehensive assessment approach that includes root cause analysis. In addition to this, the 26 experts participating in the second phase are receiving training and guidance in the development of project proposals that respond to the requirements of a wide range of prospective targets, ranging from GEF projects to bilateral to private foundations.
In terms of the specific project proposals, a key objective is to ensure that each one has a strong capacity building component, relevant to the specific issue area being addressed.
Technology transfer needs will be identified in the context of the specific project proposals currently under development through the five thematic working groups.
Relationship to International Agreements on Sustainable Development
How the partnership contributes to the implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21, and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation
The following programme areas of Agenda 21 are addressed by the African Process:
a- Integrated management and sustainable development of coastal areas
b- Marine environmental protection
d- Sustainable use and conservation of marine living resources under national jurisdiction
f- Strengthening international, including regional, cooperation and coordination
g- Sustainable development of small islands.
The following objectives of the UN Millennium Declaration will be furthered by the African Process:
(6) The fundamental value of respect for nature, in particular with regards to sustainable use of living resources, management of key ecosystems and habitats, and land-based sources of marine and coastal pollution
(III) Development and poverty eradication: This objective is directly furthered through the development of effective projects (in environmental, financial and institutional terms) that will ensure the sustainable exploitation, protection and/or remediation of the natural resource base on which traditional livelihoods and the socio-economic stability of coastal communities depend.
(17) SIDS: Through the participation of both Seychelles and Mauritius, the concerns and needs of SIDS are being incorporated and addressed within the African Process
(20) Partnerships with private sector and civil society: The African Process is a unique example of an NGO spearheading a complex project that requires high-level official endorsement at both the regional and national levels; in addition, one of its main objectives is to develop public-private partnerships through round tables and the Partnership Conference.
(IV) Protecting our common environment (21 & 22) : The stated objectives of the African Process directly and effectively contribute to these overarching goals through action-oriented, targeted interventions. In particular, given the complex linkages between freshwater and marine systems, the objective of promoting the sustainable exploitation of water resources is addressed.
(VII). Meeting the special needs of Africa: It is evident that a project being developed in eleven sub-Saharan countries, which has been endorsed by OAU Summits, by the African Regional Prep Com and incorporated into the Environment Initiative of NEPAD directly contributes to this goal. In particular, by contributing to the sustainable use and development of strategic natural resources, the African Process is contributing to the food security and socio-economic stability of the African continent.
(VIII) Strengthening the United Nations (30) - If one of the objective is to "give greater opportunities to the private sector, non-governmental organizations and civil society....to contribute to the realization of the Organization's goals and programmes", then the African Process can be taken as a model given that it is an initiative facilitated and executed by an NGO, which is strengthening the relationship among governments, academia, research institutes, regional organisations and instruments, and the private sector.
a- Integrated management and sustainable development of coastal areas
b- Marine environmental protection
d- Sustainable use and conservation of marine living resources under national jurisdiction
f- Strengthening international, including regional, cooperation and coordination
g- Sustainable development of small islands.
The following objectives of the UN Millennium Declaration will be furthered by the African Process:
(6) The fundamental value of respect for nature, in particular with regards to sustainable use of living resources, management of key ecosystems and habitats, and land-based sources of marine and coastal pollution
(III) Development and poverty eradication: This objective is directly furthered through the development of effective projects (in environmental, financial and institutional terms) that will ensure the sustainable exploitation, protection and/or remediation of the natural resource base on which traditional livelihoods and the socio-economic stability of coastal communities depend.
(17) SIDS: Through the participation of both Seychelles and Mauritius, the concerns and needs of SIDS are being incorporated and addressed within the African Process
(20) Partnerships with private sector and civil society: The African Process is a unique example of an NGO spearheading a complex project that requires high-level official endorsement at both the regional and national levels; in addition, one of its main objectives is to develop public-private partnerships through round tables and the Partnership Conference.
(IV) Protecting our common environment (21 & 22) : The stated objectives of the African Process directly and effectively contribute to these overarching goals through action-oriented, targeted interventions. In particular, given the complex linkages between freshwater and marine systems, the objective of promoting the sustainable exploitation of water resources is addressed.
(VII). Meeting the special needs of Africa: It is evident that a project being developed in eleven sub-Saharan countries, which has been endorsed by OAU Summits, by the African Regional Prep Com and incorporated into the Environment Initiative of NEPAD directly contributes to this goal. In particular, by contributing to the sustainable use and development of strategic natural resources, the African Process is contributing to the food security and socio-economic stability of the African continent.
(VIII) Strengthening the United Nations (30) - If one of the objective is to "give greater opportunities to the private sector, non-governmental organizations and civil society....to contribute to the realization of the Organization's goals and programmes", then the African Process can be taken as a model given that it is an initiative facilitated and executed by an NGO, which is strengthening the relationship among governments, academia, research institutes, regional organisations and instruments, and the private sector.
Coordination and Implementation
Coordination Mechanism of the PartnershipIn each participating country there is a national coordinator tasked with ensuring that all project proposals are
a) mainstreamed into relevant national frameworks (inter alia institutional, regulatory, budgetary) and, b) fully endorsed by relevant government authorities. The regional coordinators leading the five working groups will ensure coordination among the project proposals as they are structured into the Programme of Interventions, as well as with relevant ongoing projects and programmes. Therefore, an objective of the African Process is become a mechanism for regional coordination of environmental initiatives relevant to marine and coastal ecosystems. Once proposals have been committed to by donors/partners, implementation will be followed up through the national coordinators as well as by a workshop to be held in early 2003. |
Implementation Mechanism of the PartnershipThe implementing agencies of the African Process are tasked with detailed follow up of the project proposals that receive funding and support for their implementation. This will include periodic progress reports, newsletters, and a technical meeting in February 2003.
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Resources
Funding Currently AvailableAmount in US$: 0
Source(s): Government - IGO
Funding for the African Process has primarily been channeled through the GEF MSP for the Development and Protection of the Marine and Coastal Environment in sub-Saharan Africa. Additional support has been received from the governments of Norway, United States, Netherlands, and Canada. In addition to this, the participating countries (Côte d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa and Tanzania) have provided monetary support. With regard to intergovernmental organizations, IOC of UNESCO has been a partner association in the implementation of the GEF MSP, and both UNEP and the GPA Coordination Office have provided financial support for the participation of additional countries. |
Non-financial resources availableType(s):
Source(s): Government
The participating countries (Côte d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa and Tanzania) have also provided in kind support. |
Funding SoughtRequired Amount in US$: not specified
Source(s) already approached: Work is currently underway to mobilize support for specific project proposals, that is expected to come from bilateral and multilateral donors as well as from the private sector and private foundations.
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Non-financial resources soughtRequirement(s):
Source(s) approached and details:
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Additional Information
Additional Relevant Information
* The African Process has been formally incorporated into the Environment Initiative of NEPAD
* The African Regional PrepCom in Nairobi, October 2001, decided (52) that the outputs of the African Process should be incorporated into WSSD
* Given the relevance of the activities of the African Process to the objectives of the Abidjan Convention, the final workshop for the review of project proposals will be held in conjunction with its Sixth COP.
* The report of the 6th COP of the Nairobi Convention notes that its revitalisation, including throught he development of costed biennial work programmes, was initiated with the launch of the African Process. Currently, joint efforts are being made to ensure that project proposals advance and strengthen the biennial work programme for 2002-2003
* The Global Programme of Action (GPA) Coordination Office has provided financial support for the implementation of the GEF MSP of the African Process, and it is agreed that the methodology developed directly assists in developing National Programmes of Action, as evidenced by work undertaken in Nigeria and Tanzania.
* The methodology applied in the first phase of the GEF MSP of the African Process is based on the GIWA methodology, and therefore constitutes a first regional application of an adapted version. Synergies between both initiatives have been acknowledged by both parties.
* The African Regional PrepCom in Nairobi, October 2001, decided (52) that the outputs of the African Process should be incorporated into WSSD
* Given the relevance of the activities of the African Process to the objectives of the Abidjan Convention, the final workshop for the review of project proposals will be held in conjunction with its Sixth COP.
* The report of the 6th COP of the Nairobi Convention notes that its revitalisation, including throught he development of costed biennial work programmes, was initiated with the launch of the African Process. Currently, joint efforts are being made to ensure that project proposals advance and strengthen the biennial work programme for 2002-2003
* The Global Programme of Action (GPA) Coordination Office has provided financial support for the implementation of the GEF MSP of the African Process, and it is agreed that the methodology developed directly assists in developing National Programmes of Action, as evidenced by work undertaken in Nigeria and Tanzania.
* The methodology applied in the first phase of the GEF MSP of the African Process is based on the GIWA methodology, and therefore constitutes a first regional application of an adapted version. Synergies between both initiatives have been acknowledged by both parties.