How to develop and implement an NPA

A national programme of action (NPA) is envisioned as an integrating management and policy framework with a comprehensive, constantly updated information base. It is not an end in itself but a useful strategic tool that can assist governments, industry, tourism, agricultural or other relevant bodies and local communities in the progressive prioritisation of their sustainable development needs and goals related to coastal areas and oceans, and in the mobilisation of both political and financial support.

Due to the variety of causes of marine pollution stemming from activities on land, there is generally more than one authority carrying out activities related to land-based sources and activities, e.g. the ministries of agriculture, tourism, health and environment or natural resources. This is the reason why NPAs are not intended to be a newly drafted document adding to the numerous strategies which usually already exist in a country. They are envisaged to provide an umbrella framework mainstreaming and linking the various cross-sectoral strategies, policies and plans addressing marine pollution from land-based activities that guide the work of the various authorities involved.

NPA development is a process that is most commonly carried out in three phases (planning, development and implementation), building upon existing national development plans and priorities. NPAs allow a country to gradually address various issues and problems through defined and prioritised actions. They also provide a flexible framework that can be adapted to the specific circumstances of each country, therefore, no single model can provide guidance regarding the elaboration of national programmes of action, nor their implementation.