Togo: Lomé hosts the 10ᵉ Regional Conference on the fight against marine pollution
Since Monday, November 25, 2024, Lomé has been hosting the 10th Regional Conference of the Global Initiative for West, Central, and Southern Africa (GI WACAF). Organized over four days, this major event brings together delegates from 22 African countries to discuss challenges related to marine pollution management, particularly that caused by hydrocarbons.
This meeting, co-organized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and IPIECA, aims to assess progress since the last edition in combating oil spills in the marine environment. It will also set the strategic priorities for the next two years. IPIECA, a key player in the oil and gas industry, focuses on promoting environmentally friendly and socially responsible practices.
The conference provides a platform for maritime experts and representatives from participating countries to exchange ideas. They will share their experiences and best practices while identifying areas for improvement to strengthen local capacities. The goal is to reinforce the preparedness and response mechanisms for marine pollution incidents, thus contributing to better protection of coastal ecosystems.
The choice of Lomé as the venue for this 10th edition reflects Togo’s commitment to preserving its marine environment. As a coastal country, Togo has taken significant steps to prevent and manage environmental incidents, particularly by equipping itself with appropriate tools for marine risk prevention and management.
This conference comes at a crucial time when African countries must strengthen their cooperation in the face of growing challenges of marine pollution. The presence of delegates from 22 nations highlights the importance of regional solidarity to address environmental threats.
