In a joint effort with the SADC Secretariat, AU-IBAR is strengthening Regional Monitoring, Management, and Surveillance Methods for the Conservation and Safety of Aquatic Biodiversity and Environmental Administration within the SADC area. By the Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity Mission, with funding from the Swedish Worldwide Improvement Cooperation Company, help was offered for the primary assembly of the SADC MCSCC Board of Administrators in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa. The assembly, together with a preparatory session, was held from 23-27 September 2024.
Established in April 2023, the Regional Monitoring Management and Surveillance Coordination Centre (RMCSCC) is shortly changing into famend for its important function in selling regional collaboration and development within the battle in opposition to Unlawful, Unreported, and Unregulated Fisheries (IUU). Whereas assembly, the Board’s focus was on incorporating an annual work plan to information the middle’s actions. Enhancing effectivity, encouraging innovation, and synchronising actions throughout numerous areas are the targets of this consolidation.
The assembly additionally addressed numerous topics, together with the introduction of recent members, the ratification of the inaugural assembly’s file, the report from the MCSCC Secretariat/IPMU, and discussions on reporting necessities. Governance points, such because the draft governance guide, remuneration, and the draft TORs for the BoD, have been additionally coated. Moreover, the draft Annual Work Plan and Finances, place descriptions, wage construction, and organisational construction have been mentioned, together with commitments from the Chairperson of the MCSCC and companions to offer future help.
The consolidated work plan, which was authorised by the Board of Administrators, has a robust emphasis on using revolutionary applied sciences to handle Unlawful, unreported and unregulated (IUU) challenges within the area. A number of the key highlights of the workplan included an emphasis on the significance of improved collaboration frameworks amongst member states with a view to share finest practices and obtain collective growth and affect. As well as, by means of customised seminars, coaching packages, and data alternate platforms, capability growth continues to be a high precedence. The technique encompasses sturdy useful resource mobilisation initiatives, similar to partnerships with personal sector entities, worldwide organisations, and native administrations. Moreover, the workplan factors to the RMCSCC using a complete communications technique to extend consciousness of its mission and actions all through the area. This technique consists of partnerships with native media, regional and worldwide outreach packages, and social media to ensure widespread recognition and help.
The event of a unified and strategic work plan that aligns member states in the direction of widespread aims and finest practices is likely one of the key outcomes of the Board’s assembly. Moreover, the assembly served as a discussion board for stakeholders and administrators to supply suggestions and improve operational coverage paperwork. It facilitated the alternate of data amongst stakeholders to enhance the mobilisation of assets for the MCSCC, thereby bolstering its management in regional cooperation and growth within the battle in opposition to IUU fishing. Total, partnerships have been established to facilitate synergies in Monitoring Management and Surveillance initiatives all through the SADC area.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The African Union – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Assets (AU-IBAR).