During the workshop, the stakeholders were trained, the mapping of uses was validated, and the matrix of conflicts of uses was created.
Training the different technical actors in the Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) tool, in order to facilitate the realization of marine and coastal space management plans and to anticipate possible conflicts of use in the implementation of various activities. Such was the main objective of the capacity development workshop on MSP, which was held from 24 to 27 February 2021 in Bonoua (Côte d’Ivoire) a part of the Integrated Management of the Marine and Coastal Area from Abidjan to Assinie (GIAMAA) project.
The opening ceremony of the workshop took place on February 24, 2021 in the conference room of CIAPOL, chaired by Colonel Martin Niagne Dibi, Director of the Ivorian Anti-Pollution Center (CIAPOL). Present were also the Representative of the Abidjan Convention secretariat, the Director of the Cabinet of the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development (MINEDD) and Mrs. Dieynaba Seck, trainer from the Ecological Monitoring Center (CSE) of Dakar.
In his speech, the Director of Cabinet, Mr. François Kouablan, representing the MINEDD, indicated his pleasure to preside over the opening ceremony of the capacity development workshop on MSP. On behalf of the Minister, he thanked all the participants for having responded favorably to the invitation of the GIAMAA project. Situating the challenge of MSP, which is to resolve conflicts of use of the maritime and coastal space in order to optimize its uses and resources, he noted that this tool is part of the tools of integrated ocean management (IOM), which allows the preservation of maritime resources and to anticipate potential conflicts of use. He wished all stakeholders success in the various works. With these words, he declared open the capacity development workshop on MSP.
But before that, the Director of CIAPOL saluted all the international and national partners for their financial and technical support for the implementation of the IOM tools. In particular, he thanked the presence of experts from the CSE of Dakar, who despite the significant risk of contamination with COVID-19, made the trip in this period of health crisis, also taking this opportunity to reassure the strict compliance of distancing measures.
In addition to the Director of CIAPOL, Professor Jacques Abe, on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the Abidjan Convention, recalled the objective of the workshop, and in his words expressed his gratitude to all international and national partners for their support both technical and financial. He also welcomed the participation of the maritime sector in the management of the marine environment. Before the family photo that ended the opening ceremony, a film projection on MSP was made by Ms. Dieynaba Seck, who also made two presentations.
Ms. Seck’s first presentation focused on MSP and its importance in marine and coastal space management: successful MSP cases in Africa. The second presentation focused on the importance of stakeholders in the MSP process. Following the two presentations by Ms. Seck, which identified the stakeholders and their activities, and then positioned them on the map of Grand Bassam, a consensus map was validated, and a table of conflicts of use was drawn up. In parallel with the group work, the participants were able to visit cultural sites and discover dominant activities in the Grand Bassam area. In addition, Mr. Mario Caña, from the Norwegian center GRID-Arendal, presented the SEASKETCH software and its importance for MSP via video conference.
It should be recalled that the GIAMAA Project is a project whose objectives are: first, to lay the foundations of an IOM policy within the member countries of the Abidjan Convention, in accordance with decision CP12/7 of COP12 (ICZM Additional Protocol – IOM Policy – Regional IOM Project); to develop capacity and apply it in pilot projects (Regional IWM Project); and finally, to put in place an MSP tool to achieve sustainable use of the marine and coastal space. The workshop ended with the handover of certificates to the participants.
Charles GNAE
Images: GIAMAA project