https://www.oceanexpert.net/expert/38174

MSc

Research
Data Management
Natural Resource Management
Decision Making & Policy

Fisheries, Aquaculture
Marine and Coastal Engineering
Policy, Law, Economics, Management
Pollution

1. PREAMBLE

The Renforcement de la Protection des Océans aux Comores (R-POC) Program is a collaborative initiative established to support the Union of the Comoros in strengthening ocean protection, restoring marine biodiversity, and enhancing socio-ecological resilience in alignment with national development priorities.

The Government of the Union of the Comoros has articulated a clear and high-level commitment to ocean protection through its Blue Economy vision and its endorsement of global biodiversity targets, including the objective to protect at least 30% of national marine waters by 2030. R-POC operates in support of this national ambition, at the invitation of, and in partnership with, relevant government institutions.

R-POC is designed as a long-term, enabling program platform, rather than a single donor-funded project. It provides a coordinated framework within which multiple, time-bound projects may be developed and implemented by different partners, aligned to a shared vision, governance framework, and set of operating principles.

2. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE R-POC PROGRAMME

2.1 Overall Purpose

The purpose of the R-POC Programme is to strengthen ocean protection and socio-ecological resilience in the Union of the Comoros by enabling coordinated, science-based, and community-centred marine conservation action, aligned with national Blue Economy priorities.

2.2 Programme Objectives

At programme level, R-POC seeks to:

1.     Support the effective management, expansion, and long-term sustainability of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and OECMs in the Union of the Comoros, from coastal to offshore and EEZ scales.

2.     Strengthen national capacity for marine science, monitoring, adaptive management, spatial planning, and evidence-based decision-making.

3.     Promote inclusive governance, co-management, and social license for ocean protection, ensuring tangible benefits for coastal communities.

4.     Support national processes toward achieving ocean protection international commitments, including CITES requirements and GBF targets (such as the protection of at least 30% of the Comoros EEZ by 2030).

5.     Serve as a credible, coordinated platform for collaboration among government, civil society, academia, and donors engaged in ocean protection in Comoros.

3. PROGRAMME SCOPE AND THEMATIC PILLARS

R-POC provides an enabling framework for projects that may address one or more of the following thematic pillars:

1.     Effective management and expansion of MPAs and OECMs

2.     Marine biodiversity research, monitoring, and data management

3.     Systematic conservation planning and marine spatial planning

4.     Fisheries sustainability, surveillance, and enforcement support

5.     Community engagement, livelihoods, and social resilience

6.     Ocean literacy, communications, and national/international positioning of Comoros’ marine heritage

The Programme does not require that every project address all pillars, nor that every partner participate in every project.

Indian Ocean

Houssoyni Housseni, born in Mohéli - Comoros, holds a Master Degree in Development with specialization in Environment management from French speaker University (Université Senghor, Campus de Burkina-Faso);an Engineering Degree in Naturals resources protection and conservation (Ecosystems service, Ecology, marine sciences) from University of Applied Sciences and Technology, Tehran-Iran; and a Bachelor’s Degree in Earth Sciences and Environment (Geology, Ecology and Chemistry) from University of Comoros. His area of specialization include: Research on natural resources management, biodiversity, environment management; sustainable development and natural resources utilization; Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), community based climate change adaptation; environmental policy formulation and analysis; development of integrated ecosystem based management plans; negotiation and conflict resolution, capacity building and project management.

Currently he works as Programme Manager (Strengthening Ocean Protection in Comoros (R-P.O.C)) be for he was Shisiwani National Park Manager (Comoros Protected Areas National Network Project funded by GEF and Implementing by UNDP) he is the executive manager of Shisiwani National Park. Before he was Anjouan National Parks manager within the Comoros Protected Areas National Network, He managed two protected areas in the Comorian island of Anjouan, with a very small team including 25 agents composed of Community mobilization specialists, rangers and awerden, the two protected areas of Anjouan (Shisiwani National Park (MPA) and Mount Ntringui National Park (PA)) were well managed with the support of local communities. It sets itself the goal of making a greater contribution to the conservation of the unique heritage of a small island developing state such as the Comoros Union, which faces the various climatic and anthropogenic challenges that jeopardize the safeguarding of its biodiversity.

Houssoyni Housseni has been actively involved in different consultancy and environmental projects on Comoros; he was the mean author of the impact of climate change in biodiversity in the second communication of climate change in Comoros, Author on Nairobi Convention facilitation process of compiling the first ever West Indian Ocean marine protected (MPAs) outlook to establish a sustainable development goals baseline for target 14.4. 

He focuses his interest in sustainable development, policy analysis and Mutual Gain Negotiation assessment skill for conflicts resolution for sustainable use of natural resources.  He published a book in negotiation and conflict resolution for natural resources management on Mohéli marine Park.

English
Farsi
French

http://www.comorosparks.com/