Summary

First: Sustainable Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM, see editorial note) is a process that needs gradual and continuous implementation. It requires compliance with the following principles which were particularly emphasized during the technical workshops:

1.	Intra- and inter-generational equity, which includes both sustainable management of natural resources and the conservation of the cultural and natural heritage;
2.	Community participation based on communication at all levels and stages of decision-making;
3.	Recognition and application of knowledge of indigenous people and respect of their property rights;
4.	Recognition of special needs of island states due to their constraints and vulnerability;
5.	Development of sound technical understanding, based on the integration of scientific, social and economic variables, monitoring of social, economic and natural conditions and the forecasting of changes;
6.	Coordination among formal and informal institutions for decision-making in resource allocation and development;
7.	Legislation to amend institutional mandates, the modification of user rights and the introduction of mechanisms to regulate activities and resolve conflicts;
8.	Consensus - building as a basis for good management and the prevention of conflicts;
9.	A holistic and transdisciplinary approach in both formal and informal education;
10.	Effective use of the media in both formal and informal means of communication;
11.	Training of professionals to ensure that all the above principles become effective.

We strongly commend these principles as a basis for the implementation of SICOM in Africa. The Ministers endorsed these principles, as clearly reflected in the PACSICOM Statement.

Second: The detailed recommendations of the technical workshops are given in the joint report. These represent our collective view on the future actions needed to achieve SICOM in Africa. We seek the support and endorsement of the Ministers for these recommendations.

Third: We wish to highlight the following specific recommendations of the technical workshops. The details may be found in the joint report of the technical workshops.

1.	It is essential to build a strong constituency for sustainable integrated management. Commitment by States is required to establish the appropriate institutional and legal mechanisms that shape sectoral roles and interactions between central, provincial and local governments and civil society and private sector institutions. Regional and international solidarity and partnerships are important to reconcile local needs with global interests and concerns.
2.	Provision of a sound information base for local and regional planning requires:
	(a)	Formation of an Africa-wide network of national ocean data centres;
	(b)	Upgrading and expanding the present African network of stations for monitoring sea-level rise;
	(c)	Creating a network of specialists trained in the use of data acquired by remote sensing from space satellites;
	(d)	Facilitating the further implementation of modern electronic communication systems such as Internet connections and data transfer mechanisms.
3.	Capacity-building embraces the essential elements of human resources, infrastructure, adequate funding and supportive national policies. The priorities for SICOM are :
	(a)	Training and education in marine science and technology;
	(b)	Institutional strengthening;
	(c)	Sustainable funding; and
	(d)	Integration of coastal management in the national developmental and environmental plans.
4.	In order to enhance the integration and sustainability of programmes and projects, it is essential:
	(a)	To establish an inter-ministerial steering committee for SICOM, dealing with matters including communication and information, to coordinate and ensure the effective participation of institutions among themselves and with the concerned communities;
	(b)	To enhance the quality and quantity of information transfer between the Government’s institutions, their agents, international bodies and non-governmental organizations interested in project implementation, through the use of information and communication technologies; and
	(c)	To set up participatory analysis, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
5.	Environmental education for SICOM is important and it is essential that governments should:
	(a)	Improve and develop this educational approach at all levels of formal and non-formal education;
	(b)	Involve all relevant United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations and the private sector, in order to ensure an integrated and inter-disciplinary approach of interest to SICOM.
6.	An evaluation of the potential of earth resources in coastal areas is needed and efforts must be made to ensure their exploitation in an environmentally sound manner, involving capacity-building of the participating geoscientists. Funds for geoscientific research projects and training facilities may be provided from national and international institutions.
7.	River basin management and coastal area management should be closely integrated. At the planning level, proper coordination and linkages should be established between water resources management plans and land-use and urban development plans. International river basin organizations should be strengthened to ensure the proper management, protection and development of international waters, through local and national actions and regional cooperation. A new intensive relationship between policy making and the scientific community should be encouraged to create a wider knowledge base through education and research.

We urge the African States, in collaboration with the PACSICOM convenors and other technical and development partners, to give particular attention to the timely and effective implementation of these actions.

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