Joining colleagues from the Regional Seas Programme around the world, NOWPAP representative participated in the annual gathering of the 14th Global Meeting of the Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans on 1-3 October 2012 in Nairobi, Kenya. The meeting focused on the ecosystem approach which helps the implementation of the Region Seas Conventions and Action Plans, and the possible contribution of Regional Seas Programme to the world oceans assessment (Regular Process). In the context of implementation of the Regional Seas Programme, discussion covered a range of issues such as ecosystem based management, blue carbon, economics of ecosystems and biodiversity, green economy in the oceans and marine protected areas. The meeting adopted Regional Seas Programme Strategic Directions 2013-2016, which reflects the essence of Rio+20 outcome, the Future We Want on sustainable management of the marine and coastal environment, and the UN Secretary General’s Oceans Compact for coordinating efforts by UN agencies, international financial institutions, civil society and the private sector.
The next meeting will be held in Caribbean region.
Implementation of NOWPAP contributes to the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (GPA) in the Northwest Pacific region.