ICZM brings NGOs together for the protection of coastal zones in North Africa

In the framework of the implementation of the CEPF funded project “Effective integration of the integrated coastal zone management approach in the coastal areas in North Africa, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia”,the WWF North Africa, organised in partnership with the Tunisian Agency for Coastal protection and planning (APAL), a regional workshop focused on the exchange of experiences between NGOs and government representatives from the 3 countries, on October 25, 26 and 27 in Hammamet, Tunisia.

The workshop objectives were:

- presentation of the experiences of the actors in the taking action for the conservation of coastal areas in all three countries;

- sharing experiences and knowledge;

- strengthening cooperation and partnership between the different actors of the project from public, private and civil sectors;

- creation of a network of NGOs to support the ratification of ICZM Protocol, and the implementation of its principles.

The first morning, M. Faouzi, Director of WWF North Africa opened the meeting. Welcome addresses were addressed by M. Essid, Chef de Cabinet of the Tunisian Minister for local affairs and environment and Ms. Tliche, Director of APAL and M. Petit, Programme officer at PAP/RAC. They all insisted on the importance of the project, seeking to give more visibility to NGOs’ actions and building capacities in ICZM.

The Chef de cabinet highlighted the need to activate the ICZM Protocol, and bring coastal protection to a higher level of priority on the governmental and public agenda in Tunisia. During her intervention, Ms Tliche, provided an overview of the problems of APAL, which unable the agency to carry out the tasks entrusted to her, the definition of the coastal limits being the key problem. She insisted on the need to work on the preparation of a national strategy, and insisted on the importance of experience sharing in the Maghreb region.

Mr. Petit presented PAP/RAC’s actions in the framework of the Barcelona Convention, which support the implementation of the ICZM Protocol in the Region, at national and local level : guidelines for the definition of national ICZM strategies, National ICZM strategies in Algeria, Montenegro and Croatia, local coastal plans and CAMP projects.

The workshop was attended by 40-odd representatives of the public sector and governmental agencies from Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco. A wide range of actions were discussed and experiences exchanged in the field of costal preservation and sustainable development.

The basis of a network of NGOs was discussed and established between the participants, which will help the partner organisations to strengthen their local actions and visibility and build joined activities to advocate for the implementation of ICZM principles on the ground.