Percentage impact (wetland)


Percentage impact (area)


Chapter 2: State of the Environment and Policy Response


Figure 2.3.2: The impact of sea-level rise on selected coastal land areas in West Asia


14 12 10 8


6 4 2 0


Qatar


80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0


Qatar Kuwait


United Arab


Emirates


1 Sea level rise (m) 2 Sea level rise (m) 3 Sea level rise (m)


Source: Tolba and Saab 2009


Implementing effective, participatory and updated national biodiversity strategies and action plans can contribute to the protection of coastal and marine ecosystems in West


4 Sea level rise (m) 5 Sea level rise (m)


Saudi Arabia


Yemen Oman


United Arab


Emirates Kuwait Oman Yemen


Saudi Arabia


Asia. Several countries have embarked on updating their strategies and action plans according to the Aichi Targets of the Convention on Biological Diversity.


Integrated coastal zone management


The main long-term objective of integrated coastal zone management is to maintain a balance between the economic benefits of development and human uses of coastal zones, and the functions, dynamics and carrying capacity of coastal and marine ecosystems. While some countries in West Asia have active coastal planning and management programmes, effective implementation of these might be limited.


A key requirement for effective integrated management of coastal zones is the formulation of specific policies that take into account natural and anthropogenic impacts; involvement of all stakeholders is important for the effective implementation of these polices. Several legislative instruments that enable an integrated approach to management are in place in most West Asia countries. However, there is a need to strengthen enforcement of existing regulations. Informed and coordinated management requires integrated coastal and marine spatial planning, which could be facilitated by adopting geographic information system techniques. Capacity building and institutional strengthening might be required in some West Asia countries to enable effective integrated management of coastal environments.


A regional approach to integrated management is the best option to protect and sustain coastal and marine ecosystems. ROPME and the Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA) are playing important roles in coordinating such efforts. The Mediterranean Action Plan, together with the Barcelona Convention and related protocols, form an important legal and institutional framework for cooperation between all Mediterranean countries to address the challenges of environmental degradation and promote sustainable resource management.


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