Module8 Authorities and Processes Related to ABNJ at the Regional Level: Experiences and Lessons Learnt UNEP Regional Seas Programme Kanako Hasegawa Associate Programme Officer UNEP Regional Seas Coordination 25 March 2016
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Agenda 1. The UNEP Regional Seas Programme 2. Activities through the UNEP Regional Seas Coordination Regional Seas Strategic Directions Cooperation with Regional Fisheries Bodies African Ocean Governance 3. Reflection
1. The UNEP Regional Seas Programme
The boundaries do not correspond to the actual geographical 5 coverage of the conventions and action plans
UNEP Regional Seas Programme UNEP Governing Council 1 of June 1973 led to the creation of the UNEP RS programme To develop a programme for the monitoring of marine pollution and its effects on marine ecosystems, paying particular attention to the special problems of specific bodies of water including some semienclosed seas, if the nations concerned so agree. Established in 1974 as a UNEP s flagship programme Provide a legally binding framework to protect the marine environment at the regional level
UNEP Regional Seas Programme Main objective: address degradation of oceans and seas Governed by the participating countries through Conference of Parties (intergovernmental meetings) Action- oriented programme Regional Seas Programmes have their own Programme of Work Funds come from the participating countries (Trust Fund)
UNEP RS Programme UNEP Regional Seas Programme UNEP- administered RS programmes Non- UNEP administered RS programmes ABC, MAP, CEP, COBSEA, NOWPAP, NBC, Teheran OSPAR, HELCOM, PAME, CCLMAR, NEP, ROPME, PERSGA, BSC, SACEP, SPREP, CPPS
Action Plans and Conventions Action Plans Defines regional priorities Non- legally binding instrument Common areas: Environmental assessment; Environmental management; Financial arrangement; Institutional arrangement Conventions Set out obligations for parties in order to achieve the regional action plan Legally binding instrument Both Action Plans and Conventions are multilateral agreements
Protocols Common Protocols under the Conventions Land- based sources of pollution Reduce pollution through establishment of effluent & emission limitations and/or best management practices Exchange information through cooperation in monitoring & research Specially protected areas and biodiversity Protect, preserve & sustainably manage fragile areas & threatened or endangered species of flora & fauna Regulate &/or prohibit activities having adverse effects on protected areas & wildlife (biodiversity)
Protocols (Cont ) Oil spills preparedness and contingency Protect marine and coastal environment from oil spill incidents Establish & maintain means to respond to oil spill incidents & to reduce the risks associated with such incidents Integrated coastal zone management Facilitate, through the rational planning of activities, the sustainable development of coastal zones by ensuring that the environment and landscapes are taken into account in harmony with economic, social and cultural development.
Typical Structure RAC RAC RCU RAC RAC RAC
Activities Land- based pollution Biodiversity Sustainable Consumption and Production Monitoring and Assessment Ship- based pollution Ecosystem- based Management
GPA Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land- based Activities (GPA) Intergovernmental mechanism Partnerships on: Marine Litter Wastewater Nutrients
Regional Seas and ABNJ
Regional Seas dealing with ANNJ OSPAR, SPREP, MAP, CCAMRL: convention area covers ABNJ Others starting the process Nairobi Convention: COP7 urged the countries to engage in the process Abidjan Convention : COP11 in 2014 set up a working group CPPS: Commitment of the Galapagos for the XXI Century on 17 August 2012, Chapter VIII
SPREP The Noumea Convention defines the "Convention Area" as (i) the 200 nautical mile zones established in accordance with international law of: American Samoa, Australia (East coast and Islands to eastward including Macquarie Island), Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia and Dependencies, New Zealand, Niue, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna, Western Samoa; (ii) those areas of high seas which are enclosed from all sides by the 200 nautical mile zones referred to in sub- paragraph (i); (iii) areas of the Pacific Ocean which have been included in the Convention Area pursuant to Article 3. Image of high sea pockets (WCPFC)
South Pacific Commitment of the Galapagos for the XXI Century on 17 August 2012 20. They promote the coordinated action of Member States regarding their interests on living and non living resources in marine areas beyond national jurisdiction as well as the search for alliances to tackle common challenges with coastal States of the West Pacific.
2. Regional Seas coordination activities: Regional Seas Strategic Directions
Regional Seas Strategic Directions (2013-2016) 1. Effectively apply Ecosystem Based Management 2. GPA: Protection from Land Based Activities 3. Strengthen capacity for coastal and marine governance 4. Promote resource efficiency and productivity 5. Strengthen coordination and capacity for state of marine environment reporting, in particular the World Oceans Assessment 6. Strengthen mechanisms for MEA, UN and IFI collaboration
Regional Seas Strategic Directions (2017-2020) 1. Reduce marine pollution of all kinds in line with the SDG Goal 14.1. 2. Create increased resilience of people, marine and coastal ecosystems, and their health and productivity, in line with the SDG Goal 13 and decisions made at the UNFCCC COP21. 3. Develop integrated, ecosystem- based regional ocean policies and strategies for sustainable use of marine and coastal resources, paying close attention to blue growth. 4. Enhance effectiveness of Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans as regional platforms for supporting integrated ocean policies and management.
Sustainable Development Goals
2. Regional Seas coordination activities: cooperation between RS and RFBs
Regional Seas The boundaries do not correspond to the actual geographical coverage of the conventions and action plans
RFMOs Ban et al. (2013)
Tuna RFMOs Ban et al. (2013)
Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs)
Regional Ocean Governance Mechanism Regional Ocean governance mechanism is fragmented Challenges exist for each mechanism Challenges of Regional Seas Programme Implementation of regional agreements are not systematic Political and financial instability Cooperation among different mechanisms is desirable for a more integrated management
Ecosystem-Based Management Taking an ecosystem service perspective in policies and programming
Policy Integration
Cooperation of RS and RFBs OSPAR NEAFC Collective Arrangement developed Collaboration in thematic areas such as Marine Protected Areas Barcelona Convention GFCM MoU has been made Abidjan Convention and RFMOs (BCC, CECAF, COMHAFAT, COREP, FCWC, ICCAT, SEAFO, SRFC) Workshops held. Common themes were identified. ROPME RECOFI Dialogue started Nairobi Convention SWIOFC, IOTC, SIOFA MoU between Nairobi Convention SWIOFC will be prepared
Cooperation ladder 1. Information and knowledge sharing 2. Common discussions and deliberations, coordinating world view 3. Adjustment of behavior within own sector 4. Joint measures across sectors and levels FAO(2014)
2. Regional Seas Coordination Activities: African Ocean Governance
Cairo Declaration (AMCEN 2015) 8. To reiterate our support for the regional seas programmes in Africa as regional platforms for the implementation of the Africa Integrated Marine Strategy 2050 and Agenda 2063 on Ecosystem- Based Management Approaches for marine resources in the exclusive economic zones and adjacent waters; 14. To agree to develop a governance strategy, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and regional seas conventions, on oceans and seas in Africa for the effective management of the region s shared maritime resources and call for a regional conference to address the matter by 2016;
Regional Ocean Governance Regional Seas: Abidjan Convention, Barcelona Convention, Jeddah Convention, Nairobi Convention Regional Fisheries Bodies: CECAF, SRFC, FCWC, COREP, ATLAFCO, GFCM, SWIOFC, IOTC, SIOFA, ICAAT, WECAFC, SEAFO, PERSGA LME mechanisms: GCLME, CCLME, BCLME, ASCLME, MedPartnership Opportunity: Foster a common vision for the 2 Seas and 2 Oceans
3. Reflection
Regional Seas and ABNJ? Regional ocean governance mechanisms are complex Some Regional Seas programmes already deal with ABNJ Expansion of the geographical coverage? Each agreement needs to consult with its Contracting Parties for the amendment of the Action Plan and Convention
Thank you For any questions, please contact: kanako.hasegawa@unep.org Visit: http://www.unep.org/regionalseas/