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The
African Process for the Development and Protection of the
Marine and Coastal Environment in Sub-Saharan Africa is an
innovative undertaking, which has initially been
implemented through a GEF Medium Sized Project (MSP), which
has developed a comprehensive strategy to address priority
items, including the protection of degraded or threatened
marine and coastal ecosystems in sub-Saharan Africa, the
revitalization of relevant regional instruments, and the
generation of sustainable development opportunities in
Africa. The African Process seeks to assist countries in
the region to achieve the sustainable management of the
coastal interface through project proposals that are
effective from an environmental, financial and
institutional perspective, and which have galvanized a
significant degree of political support. This initiative
provides an opportunity to a wide range of regional and
international partners and donors to work jointly with
local stakeholders on projects that build upon solid
scientific research and are endowed with a high degree of
national ownership.
In
recognition of the fact that the African Process has
fulfilled its initial objectives and delivered a Portfolio
of nineteen framework project proposals that address
priority issues for the region, this initiative has been
incorporated into the Environment Component of the New
Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD).
The President of Senegal, who has been designated as
Environment Coordinator of NEPAD, and with the support of
many African countries, decided to establish a Secretariat
tasked with the effective development of the coastal and
marine agenda. The Coastal and Marine Secretariat of NEPAD,
COSMAR Secretariat, has been set up in Nairobi, Kenya.
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