The Convention for Co-operation in the Protection and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the West and Central African Region (Abidjan Convention) was adopted in 1981. The Convention and its protocol concerning cooperating in combating pollution in cases of emergency came into force in 1984. To date the Convention covers the marine environment, coastal zones and related inland waters falling within the jurisdiction of the States of the Western African Region, from Mauritania to South Africa.

Recognizing the environmental uniqueness and natural resources richness in fisheries, oil, gas and minerals of the coastal and marine environment of the region, the threats and the necessity for action, the Contracting Parties of the Convention adopted an Action Plan for the protection and development of the marine and coastal environment of the region.

Member States have shown commitment towards the management of coastal and marine resources as demonstrated by the number of ratifying countries. Out of the 22 countries in the Abidjan Convention region 14 have so far ratified, namely Benin, Cameroon, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Togo.

The Contracting Parties of the Convention designated Cote d’Ivoire as the Depository, and the United Nations Environment Programme as the Secretariat. The Regional Coordinating Unit is based in Abidjan. More...