Mamadou Kane, ABC Executive Secretary
By: Sheikh Alkinky Sanyang
The Fourteenth Conference of the Parties “COP14” of the Convention for Cooperation in the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Atlantic Coast of the West, Central and Southern Africa Region called (The Abidjan Convention) kicked off in the Mauritanian capital city of Nouakchott. The Conference of the Parties is the supreme governing body of the Convention that provides guidance on the Secretariat’s areas of intervention in the execution of its mandate.
The theme of COP14, “Towards a resilient Atlantic Coast: Enhancing cooperation for the sustainable development of marine and coastal areas and the resilience of our coastal communities” speaks volumes about the Secretariat’s vision in its ambition to address the major current and future environmental challenges of marine and coastal areas facing the Abidjan Convention region.
In a resounding speech delivered by the Executive Secretary Mamadou Kane at the official opening ceremony of COP14, he disclosed that the Convention provides Contracting Parties with cooperation tools to combat the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Already, four Additional Protocols: the Bassam Protocol on pollution from land-based sources and activities, the Malabo Protocol on environmental standards associated with offshore oil and gas activities, the Pointe-Noire Protocol on integrated coastal zone management and the Calabar Protocol on sustainable mangrove management. These protocols aimed at responding to the new challenges of sustainable development of the oceans, and aimed at preventing, mitigating and combating threats to marine ecosystems.
He therefore encouraged Contracting Parties to ratify them in order to harmonize the Convention’s coastal and marine governance policies. Another Additional Protocol on the Management of Marine Protected Areas is being finalized.
“The Secretariat supports the Contracting Parties in the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Framework, which provides for the conservation of 30% of terrestrial, inland waters, coastal and marine areas by 2030, and the restoration of 30% of degraded ecosystems, all of which aim to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity. It also supports them in the signing and ratification of the BBNJ agreement to provide an appropriate and cooperative response to the loss of biological diversity and the degradation of ocean ecosystems in areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction.” Kane Pointed out.
Adding on, he revealed that “The Secretariat also accompanies and urges Contracting Parties to use all their weight to reach an agreement at the next session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution including the marine environment. Support and support to Contracting Parties for these global initiatives aims to harmonize and coordinate the fight against challenges not only at the level of Contracting Parties but well beyond the Convention areas to further ensure its security and resilience.”
The Secretariat of ABC he lamented, thanked its partners for support, collaboration and cooperation in carrying out projects and programs including UEMOA, PRCM, IUCN, AU-IBAR, SST, IOI, CSE, ECOWAS, the FAO and the Regional Seas Conventions in implementing its COP programs and decisions.
He further assured party members that he would available to promote and encourage all future initiatives and partnerships that will not only improve the governance of marine and coastal space but also ensure the resurgence of declining species, the protection of habitats, and the sustainable management of habitats and biodiversity for future generations.
He concluded thanking the Islamic Republic of Mauritania for hosting the Conference, the mobilization and the warm welcoming of extended to all delegations.
