Nairobi Convention COP12 Adopts 15 Decisions on Western Indian Ocean
Ten Western Indian Ocean states adopted 15 decisions on marine biodiversity, plastics, blue finance and ocean governance at COP12 in Dar es Salaam.
The story in focus
The Nairobi Convention's COP12 in Dar es Salaam adopted 15 decisions on protecting and sustainably developing the Western Indian Ocean, covering plastic pollution, marine biodiversity, ocean accounting and blue finance. The meeting marked the Convention's 40th anniversary and drew more than 1,600 delegates.
- Ten Contracting Parties adopted 15 decisions at COP12, hosted by Tanzania.
- Measures include a regional plastic pollution strategy and a marine pollution contingency plan.
- Parties welcomed the BBNJ Agreement's entry into force and urged wider ratification.
Decisions on ecosystems and pollution
The Twelfth Conference of the Parties to the Nairobi Convention adopted 15 decisions on protecting, managing and sustainably developing the Western Indian Ocean. Tanzania hosted the meeting in Dar es Salaam under a theme linking a sustainable blue economy to the Convention's four decades of regional cooperation.
Parties endorsed a regional strategy against plastic pollution, actions to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and initiatives for mangroves, seagrasses and coral reefs. They also backed a contingency plan for major marine pollution incidents and called for stronger action on land-based sources of degradation.
Governance, finance and science
Parties advanced a 2025-2035 Integrated Work Programme, endorsed steps to operationalize a Regional Ocean Governance Strategy, and supported marine spatial planning and digital knowledge-sharing tools. They agreed to strengthen ocean accounting and mobilize blue finance for inclusive investments benefiting communities, women and youth, while calling for continued resource mobilization.
Parties welcomed the entry into force of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement and urged wider ratification, regional readiness and capacity-building. Mauritius was elected to chair the Bureau.
Attendance and participants
More than 1,600 delegates attended, up from 200 at COP11 in 2024, according to UNEP. Participants included the ten Contracting Parties—Comoros, France, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa and Tanzania—alongside UN agencies, researchers, civil society, youth and private sector representatives. The programme included a business forum, 55 side events and 24 exhibitions. COP13 dates and venue are to be announced.
What did Nairobi Convention COP12 decide on plastic pollution?
Parties adopted a regional strategy to combat plastic pollution as part of 15 decisions, alongside a contingency plan for major marine pollution incidents and calls to address land-based sources of marine degradation.
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