Abidjan Convention executive secretary Fatou Ndoye says the convention has made strides to address the funding challenges it is currently facing.
Ndoye told The Namibian last week that the Abidjan Convention’s 14th Conference of Parties (COP 14) in May last year adopted decisions renewing financial commitments to strengthen the secretariat, and several member states have since honoured their obligations by paying contributions.
“This is a positive signal of continued ownership and support of the convention. At the same time, the secretariat has intensified follow-up with parties on outstanding contributions as agreed at the COP 14.
“These efforts are ongoing and while challenges remain, there has been progress since May 2025,” said Ndoye.
Namibia is a party to the 1981 Abidjan Convention. Key objectives of the convention are to prevent, reduce and control pollution from shipping, land-based sources and sea-bed activities while promoting sustainable resources management.
At the Abidjan Convention’s COP 14 held in Nouakchott, Mauritania, United Nations Environment Programme ecosystems division director Susan Gardner said due to a serious lack of funding, the convention’s secretariat staff could face termination.
Ministry of Works and Transport director for legal and maritime affairs Chris Fikunawa has told The Namibian that Namibia is up to date with its yearly contribution to the convention.
He says the Abidjan Convention is a good regional sea programme and Namibia will continue to support it, depending on the availability of financial resources.
The Abidjan Convention was adopted in the Ivorian city of Abidjan in 1981 and came into force in 1984.
In Namibia, Abidjan Conventions activities fall under the Ministry of Works and Transport.
The Abidjan Convention presents a comprehensive policy and legal framework that is geared towards sustainable ocean and coastal management of the Abidjan Convention region, stretching from Mauritania to South Africa.
This region is home to three major large marine ecosystems, namely: Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem, the Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem and the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem.
