Mangroves for the Future promoting investment in coastal ecosystem conservation

a more healthy, prosperous and secure future for all sections of coastal populations in Indian Ocean countries, where all ecosystems are conserved and managed sustainably A common vision… Mangroves for the Future

Long-term challenges post-tsunami Wealth of knowledge and experience built up Environmental coordination between actors still weak Short-term planning perspectives persist Environmental activities continue to be under-funded Threats to ecosystems & livelihoods remain, and intensify Mangroves for the Future

First of all -one year post-tsunami - the calls to act December 2005: requests from many partners and countries to scale up current post- tsunami work into longer-term strategy and plan of action 24 April 2006: working with OSE, initiative was endorsed at New York meeting May – August 2006: with UNDP, detailed stakeholder consultation with participating countries, and at the global level Mangroves for the Future

Then … developing MFF Mangroves for the Future Consultation involved more than 200 agencies and experts at local, national, regional and global levels Call for regional coordination, learning and sharing Demand to continue the momentum and partnerships prompted by the tsunami Identification of continuing needs and priorities, where resources and effort are required

Focal countries: India, Indonesia, Maldives, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Thailand Mangroves for the Future

Additional countries: Bangladesh, Kenya, Malaysia, Tanzania, and Pakistan, Vietnam, … Mangroves for the Future

Mangroves the flagship species But, MFF addresses all coastal ecosystems (reefs, seagrass, lagoons, wetlands forests, dunes, beaches, etc.) Addresses long-term threats to coastal ecosystems and livelihoods Mangroves for the Future Links ecosystem conservation to sustainable development goals Builds a collaborative platform for multiple stakeholders to work together Promotes investment in ecosystems as development “infrastructure” Key features of MFF

to restore and conserve coastal ecosystems as key assets which support human well-being and security in the Indian Ocean Region GOAL strengthen the environmental sustainability of coastal development promote investment of funds and effort in coastal ecosystem management OBJECTIVES Shared goal & objectives Mangroves for the Future

Actions to Build Knowledge Actions to Strengthen Empowerment Actions to Enhance Governance 1.Knowledge base for coastal management 2.Ecologically and socio-economically sound rehabilitation 3.‘Reef-to-ridge’ approaches 4.Ecosystem valuation 5.Environmental evaluation of post-tsunami response. 1.Knowledge base for coastal management 2.Ecologically and socio-economically sound rehabilitation 3.‘Reef-to-ridge’ approaches 4.Ecosystem valuation 5.Environmental evaluation of post-tsunami response. 6.Civil society awareness and participation in decision-making 7.Building capacity of coastal managers 8.Environmentally sustainable livelihoods 9.Community resilience to natural disasters 10.Sustainable financing mechanisms 6.Civil society awareness and participation in decision-making 7.Building capacity of coastal managers 8.Environmentally sustainable livelihoods 9.Community resilience to natural disasters 10.Sustainable financing mechanisms 11.National integrated coastal management programmes 12.Environmental and social safeguards in land use planning 13.Marine and coastal protected areas 14.Adaptive coastal management 15.Environmentally sound business practices 11.National integrated coastal management programmes 12.Environmental and social safeguards in land use planning 13.Marine and coastal protected areas 14.Adaptive coastal management 15.Environmentally sound business practices Programmes of Work Mangroves for the Future

Implementation Schedule Full project implementation Preparatory actions Development of project proposals Setup and establishment Mangroves for the Future

New ways of working… MFF is an open initiative, not a project/programme Based on the concept of partnerships, especially with the private sector Cross-cutting, covering several of IUCN’s new Thematic Areas: Biodiversity conservation, poverty & environment, greening the economy, climate change… An Ocean-wide approach (Greater Indian Ocean Region – Asia, but also including East African countries and Seychelles) From disaster – to sustainable coastal zone management and investment Above-all, MFF aims to reduce the vulnerability of coastal communities

Mangroves for the Future Lessons learned to date Extensive consultation period has led to good consensus on MFF strategy and main actions. Good coordination within partner institutions is necessary, not only coordination between partners. Communication strategies are needed at several levels. Capacity development at national level needs to be a priority.

Mangroves for the Future Lessons learned to date Private sector needs clear guidance on investment opportunities and benefits. Climate change issues need to be given more emphasis. The relationships between knowledge/know-how and development/technology transfer need to be elaborated and made explicit in the design of MFF projects.