Dixon Waruinge

Dixon Waruinge is the coordinator of the Nairobi Convention Secretariat, with over 20 years work experience in programme formulation and coordination. He is recognised in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region and globally for his dedication to strengthening the linkage between science and decision makers, strengthening the involvement of the scientific community in the Nairobi Convention work programme, and making the Nairobi Convention a regional platform for dialogue between governments and key players in the marine and coastal environment in the WIO. His work in building partnerships and collaboration networks is unparalleled.  He has worked with many governments in Africa, non-governmental organisations, and research institutions in the diverse fields of wildlife conservation and management, biodiversity assessment and monitoring, biodiversity information management, community biodiversity conservation, and environmental impact assessment. Dixon has managed several projects in the Western Indian Ocean region and with a comprehensive understanding of international environmental law and governance, has developed cooperative agreements with global NGOs such as WWF and IUCN, Regional Economic Commissions such as the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), and research associations such as WIOMSA. He also developed collaborative programmes with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the World Heritage Convention on Sites of Universal Value. His professional experience also includes working at FAO as a Project Coordinator responsible for projects on integrated coastal zone management including management of Marine Protected Areas in Eastern Africa. 

Dixon has been instrumental in increasing the visibility and impact of the Nairobi Convention for the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Western Indian Ocean Region, making regular decisions in the development and oversight of activities to support development of tools and methodologies for sustainable management; use of coastal and marine resources; and providing technical direction of several substantive projects and activities.