Discussion Paper for the Development of the African Ocean Governance Strategy by United Nations Environment Programme

For the purpose of the discussion in this paper, the Ocean governance based on the “Ecosystem-based Management” is proposed to be defined as a framework to govern all human activities that affect the functioning of the whole ecosystems for sustained economic, social and environmental benefits of the countries and people of Africa. It is suggested that the AMCEN member countries carry out a scoping exercise for a future strategy. They are invited to consider both options: (i) governance sharply focusing on the environmental aspects; or (ii) a broader governance framework encompassing various human activities more closely following the ecosystem-based management principles and approach.