To enhance the capacity of countries of West, Central and Southern Africa to prepare for and respond to marine oil spills.
(
Partnership
)
#OceanAction40981
Description
The scope is to organise workshops, training, seminars and exercises in collaboration with national authorities in charge of oil spill response and in partnership with local business units. In organising and delivering the said activities, the Project benefits from the support of a network of trained and committed Governmental and industry focal points in-country.
The GI WACAF Project is supported by an effective management system based on six goals of preparedness which reflect the capacity of countries in the region to prepare for and respond to marine oil spills. These goals cover the requirements of the OPRC 90 Convention:
Goal 1 - Legislation: Promote the ratification of the relevant international Conventions
Goal 2 - Contingency plan: Develop National Contingency Plans for all the countries of the region
Goal 3 - Designation of authority: Obtain clarity on roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders
Goal 4 - Regional agreements: Promote the exchange of information and the provision of mutual assistance for oil spill incidents
Goal 5 - Training: Ensure that training and exercises to underpin the National Contingency Plan are delivered in the participating countries on a regular basis
Goal 6 - National capabilities: Support participating countries in developing their own national response system
Given that significant improvements have been achieved since 2006, and considering that some countries are advancing faster than others, the Project agreed in 2015 on supplementary indicators to be used. These new indicators enable a more detailed overview of the status of preparedness in the region, and also help the Project to effectively tailor the assistance provided to each country.
The participating countries conduct national assessments and set out their national priorities during biennial Regional Conferences. This provides the basis of a two-year work programme of activities to be implemented. On average, the Project implements around 12 capacity building activities per year, ensuring the dissemination of good practices in line with the latest developments in the field of oil spill preparedness, response and cooperation.
At the strategic level, the Steering Committee of the Project is composed of representatives from IMO, the oil industry, as well as IPIECA. At the implementation level, a Project Manager and a Project Coordinator form the GI WACAF Secretariat.
As 2016 marked the 10th Anniversary of the Project and 2017 will see the organisation of the 100th GI WACAF activity, the improvements in the region are significant, however there remains much to do as risks change and the expectations for oil spill preparedness continue to be raised. GI WACAF continues to demonstrate the benefits that a regionally focused project, with a long term commitment from its members, can deliver.
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) - United Nations entity
The global oil and gas industry association for environmental and social issues (IPIECA) Other relevant actor
SDGS & Targets
Goal 14
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
14.1
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
14.1.1
(a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density
14.2
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
14.2.1
Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas
14.3
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
14.3.1
14.4
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
14.4.1
14.5
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
14.5.1
14.6
By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
14.6.1
Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
14.7
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
14.7.1
Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries
14.a
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
14.a.1
14.b
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
14.b.1
Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries
14.c
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"
14.c.1
Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources
SDG 14 targets covered
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| 14.1 | By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution |
| 14.2 | By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans |
| 14.a | Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries |
Deliverables & Timeline
Resources mobilized
Partnership Progress
Feedback
Action Network
Share
Timeline
Entity
SDGs
Geographical coverage
Other beneficiaries
Ocean Basins
Communities of Ocean Action
More information
Countries
Contact Information
Clement Chazot, GI WACAF Project Manager