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Rabat – African nations gathered in Tangier, Morocco, this week to discuss the potential of the ocean economy to drive sustainable development and create jobs.
The event, known as the African Ocean Week, was launched alongside the 3rd High-Level Ministerial Conference on the Blue Belt Initiative (BBI).
Morocco, a key player in the BBI, hosted the conference, which brought together representatives from 32 countries, including 16 delegations led by ministers.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Waters and Forests, the focus was on harnessing the ocean’s resources for economic growth while preserving marine ecosystems.
The ministry’s head, Mohammed Sadiki, opened the conference, underscoring the necessity for a united African approach to harness ocean resources.
“We must transform the blue economy into a catalyst for economic and social growth,” he stated, aligning his vision with the royal commitment of King Mohammed VI to foster regional cooperation and sustainability.
Participants at the conference, which included notable figures like Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, Commissioner for Agriculture at the African Union, discussed crucial challenges facing the continent’s oceans.
The central theme of the conference, “Demand-Driven and Solutions-Oriented Approaches to Accelerating Blue Food and Blue Jobs in Africa,” revolved around driving collective action towards enhancing food security and employment through sustainable fishing practices.
The conference concluded with the adoption of the Tangier Declaration, a pivotal document reaffirming the commitment of African nations to work collaboratively in ensuring the blue economy supports ecological integrity while boosting economic prosperity.
The declaration highlights the ocean’s vital role in food security and economic development, calling for the integration of fisheries and aquaculture into national development strategies.
“Collective action against threats such as overfishing and pollution is imperative,” noted Sadiki, emphasizing the need for enhanced scientific research and ocean monitoring.
The declaration also called for increased participation in the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, fostering a sustainable framework for the future.
Moreover, the ministers expressed their gratitude to King Mohammed VI for Morocco’s proactive role in promoting South-South cooperation in the fisheries and blue economy sectors.
The Blue Belt Initiative, launched at COP22 in 2016, now encompasses 31 member states, serving as a vital platform for collaboration and resource mobilization.
