The French Biodiversity Agency showcases its expertise at the Regional Coastal and Marine Forum

The French Biodiversity Agency (OFB) is taking part in the 11th edition of the Regional Coastal and Marine Forum (FOMACO 2024), which is being held in Guinea Bissau from April 22 to 27, 2024. Initiated by the Regional Partnership for Coastal and Marine Conservation (PRCM), this forum is the most important meeting in West Africa for costal and marine conservation. The 11th edition was devoted to the conservation, resilience and sustainable development of the West African coastline in the face of global change.

At this forum, OFB showcases its expertise in regional seas cooperation and multilateralism for the conservation of marine biodiversity. OFB's actions are in line with the French national strategy for protected areas (SNAP), particularly with regard to marine protected areas. At COP15, the Convention on Biological Diversity set the target of protecting 30% of national territory and marine waters by 2030, with a European target of 10% under enhanced protection, in line with the European Biodiversity Strategy 2030.

The meeting is also an opportunity for OFB to strengthen its links with its West African partners, and to exchange views on their marine biodiversity management methods, particularly with a view to IMPAC 6.

OFB is taking part in several discussion sessions:

• A donor round table on the 30 x 30 objective;
• A technical workshop on “Science in support of governance for effective management of marine protected area networks connected from the coasts to the high seas”;
• A workshop on “Horizon IMPAC 6”.

France, a key player in ocean issues

This forum is part of a dense international calendar around the ocean in which France plays a major role. The Year of the Sea in France, starting in summer 2024, will lead up to the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) in June 2025 in Nice, co-organized by France and Costa Rica around the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

France's commitment to protecting the ocean is also reflected in its role as a pilot within the European Union for the signing of the historic agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in the high seas (known by its acronym BBNJ, Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction). This agreement still requires more than 50 ratifications to come into force.

In the run-up to UNOC 3 in Nice in 2025, France is continuing its efforts to gather the necessary signatures. In line with this agenda, the 6th International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC6) will be held in Senegal in 2027.