IWMC.org - 2nd Symposium - Issues of Relevance

The African Experience on Ocean Environment Management: Problems Encountered and Lessons Learnt in the Continental Coordinating Process Dr. Mbaye Ndoye Assistant Executive Secretary, Organization of African Unity, Scientific Technical & Research Commission, Nigeria

The mandate was given to the OAU to undertake the furtherance of the objectives of PACSICOM and specifically to consult with relevant African Institutions on the need for the rationalization and harmonization of the numerous regional programmes and institutional mechanisms. To that effect the Conference on Cooperation for the Development and Protection of the Coastal and Marine Environment in Sub-Saharan Africa, held in Cape Town, South Africa decided to set up a preparatory Committee which will report to the OAU. It was also decided to hold a Partnership Conference that will adopt, within the general framework of sustainable development, a Pan-African Programme on Integrated Coastal Areas Management.

The OAU proposal developed with the support of CIDA-Canada, is not yet funded. It is trying to develop a general coordinating system with a view to facilitating the implementation of any agreed programme with the Member States, during the Partnership conference to be held in the year 2000.

Conclusions and Prospects

Africa's coastal and marine environment and its resources have become an important component of its development process, the effective management of which has been a priority for the Organization of African Unity (OAU), since its inception.

We have tried to address the importance of coordinated initiatives, activities and programmes in an underdeveloped environment with important resources to exploit and use for the benefit of the entire Community, and also the need to improve regional cooperation between Member States of our organization.

Despite major achievements obtained during the last three decades in coordinating Science and Technology in general and Ocean matters in particular in Africa, a lot is yet to be done. The STRC in accordance with its mandate is working towards the adoption and implementation of a Pan-African coordinated Ocean Environment Management Programme. Ť

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