The Mauritius Clearinghouse Mechanism brings relevant information from diverse sources together in an organized and consistent manner using standards, guidelines and a common suite of tools and functions necessary to acquire, process, store, distribute and improve utilization of environmental data. Data holdings range from geo-spatial to socioeconomic and environmental publications from national institutes , departments, environmental management authorities, maritime services, data gateways, and relevant databases.

The information network will enable Mauritius to fully participate and benefit from lessons learned from national and cross-border activities. Nationals will readily access scientific, technical, environmental, legal and policy level information essential for the sustainable development. The Clearinghouse also acts as the national node for the Global Programme of Action for protection of the marine environment from land-based pollution.

In Mauritius, the Clearinghouse Mechanism is implemented by a multi-disciplinary network of departments and institutions coordinated by Mauritius Meteorological Services (MMS).

At the regional level the Nairobi Convention Clearinghouse is implemented by the Division of Early Warning and Assessment (DEWA) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in close collaboration with the Nairobi Convention Secretariat, and the UNEP/GEF regional Project Addressing land based activities in the Western Indian Ocean (WIOLaB). Several regional partners are very supportive of the Clearinghouse initiative among them the ODINAfrica (Ocean Data and Information Network for Africa) of IOC/UNESCO and RECOMAP (Regional Coastal Management Programme) of the Indian Ocean Commission. Back