In view of the major discoveries oil and gas in the WIO region and the potential social and economic impacts on the economies of the countries on one hand and negative environmental impacts on the other hand, it is prudent that adequate governance mechanisms are put in place. Governments in the region recognized this as an emerging issue and in the Fifth Meeting of the Contracting Parties, held in South Africa in 2007 the Nairobi Convention Secretariat was requested to assist governments to address the issue within the framework of the Nairobi Convention.