13 February 2012: The Western Indian Ocean Coastal Challenge (WIO-CC) regional platform has elected Wills Agricole of Seychelles as its President. The WIO-CC aims to mobilize countries to come together and commit to island conservation and sustainable livelihoods, including by responding to the threat posed by climate change over the next 20 years. Focused on marine and coastal zones, the Challenge is set to build on efforts of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) and Nairobi Convention.

The election took place during the first WIO-CC technical workshop, which convened in Mauritius, from 24-27 January 2012, as part of the EU-funded Implementation of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Mauritius Strategy project.

The Challenge will be guided by the following principles: country-driven development and implementation of the Challenge; the need to strengthen and align with existing conventions and activities; and a broad coastal zone management approach. The WIO-CC is expected to establish an agreement with the Western Indian Ocean-Consortium to to provide technical direction and support to the Challenge.

The first technical meeting of the Challenge is planned for the week of 1 March 2012, in Seychelles. [Seychelles Environment Department News]