The WIO-LaB project has supported the Nairobi Convention Secretariat in the development of a web-based information management system, which hosts relevant data and information on the WIO Coastal and Marine environment.

The system functions as a regional node for the GPA Clearinghouse Mechanism and was established in collaboration with relevant national institutions and regional and international partners.

The Nairobi Convention Clearinghouse and information sharing system on Eastern Africa coastal and marine environment aims to improve the coordination and participation of the Western Indian Ocean countries in implementing the Action Plan for the protection, management and development of the marine and coastal environment of Eastern Africa Region.

Countries in the Western Indian Ocean Region that are Contracting Parties to the Eastern African Action Plan (simply called the Nairobi Convention) are the States of Comoros, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa, Somalia France (Reunion), Madagascar, Seychelles and Mauritius.

Introduction to the Clearinghouse

In 2003, a meeting of the Contracting Parties (COP) focal points to the Nairobi Convention recommended that the Convention should make efforts to develop outreach information, networking and public awareness for an effective management approach. These sentiments were further discussed at the fourth COP meeting of July 2004, Madagascar and a decision was made. Under Decision 4/8 the parties recognized that access to, and use of the increasing diverse, comprehensive data and information on the coastal and marine environment is crucial in order to deal with the vast array of policy, management, scientific and other practical issues of sustainable development. The decision tasked the Secretariat with the establishment of an information system to meet the needs of the Contracting Parties in implementing the Eastern African Action Plan.

In the same COP Conference, the UNEP/GEF-WIOLaB project was launched. The project addresses some of the major environmental problems and issues related to the degradation of the marine and coastal environment due to land-based activities in the WIO region. The project also aims at improving the existing web-based information system of the Nairobi Convention to serve as the regional Clearinghouse node for the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land Based Activities (GPA).

The Clearinghouse will serve as a sustainable, first port of call for information on coastal and marine environment in the WIO region. It will act as a platform of accurate, relevant data and information including geo-spatial, socioeconomic, oceanographic and biophysical data.

The Clearinghouse will support the collection of timely, relevant data and information from appropriate national clearinghouse nodes, provide quick access and search engine services, develop an enabling environment for assessment and provide a discussion forum relevant to all stakeholders.

The Clearinghouse data holdings ranges from geo-spatial, socioeconomic, to environmental publications from institutes, departments, environmental management authorities, maritime services, data gateways, and relevant databases.

Click here to access the Nairobi Convention Clearinghouse and Information Sharing system