Africa Ocean Week, held in Tangier from October 8 to 10, 2024, brought together several major events focusing on the promotion of the blue economy and the sustainable management of marine resources in Africa. Highlights included the 3rd session of the High-Level Conference on the Blue Belt Initiative (BBI), the 3rd United Nations’ Conference on the Oceans, and the Blue Africa Summit.
Blue Belt Initiative (BBI)
The 3rd edition of the Blue Belt Initiative highlighted three priority areas: observation and research, sustainable fishing and sustainable aquaculture. The main objective of this initiative is to provide African partner countries with the necessary means to achieve their strategic objectives within the framework of the blue economy. It also aims to bridge the gap between supply and demand for sustainable financing by facilitating access to financial resources.
The event offered African states a platform to identify strategic partnerships and draw up concrete action plans based on scientific expertise, with a view to strengthening their strategies for a blue economy, focused on food security and job creation.
This high-level ministerial conference, organized under the theme “Building a foundation to boost food and jobs within a blue economy development approach”, brought together representatives from 32 countries, including 16 delegations led by ministers.
African consultation for the 3rd United Nations Conference on the Oceans
During the preparatory consultation for the 3rd United Nations Conference on the Oceans, the African community mobilized to define the continent's priorities in terms of sustainable marine governance. This strategic meeting, bringing together experts and ministers, aimed to strengthen Africa's position on the international stage, while taking account of regional specificities.
Blue Africa Summit
Under the patronage of his majesty king Mohammed VI, the 2nd Blue Africa Summit brought together internationally renowned experts to discuss global cooperation in the blue economy. Mr. Abdeljalil Lahjomri, Permanent Secretary of the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco, welcomed HM King Mohammed VI's initiative, calling for a rethinking of the oceans and their transformation into maritime corridors for international cooperation. Prince Albert II of Monaco stressed the importance of the interdependence between the future of Africa and that of the oceans, and the need for collective action to preserve marine resources.
In conclusion, Prince Albert reaffirmed the importance of a global commitment to the blue economy, essential for preserving the oceans and guaranteeing a sustainable future for the planet.
Mr. Martin Ochoa, a specialist in environmental and social issues at the World Bank and head of Morocco's Blue Economy Program, spoke as an expert, highlighting blue finance as a development lever for Morocco's blue economy.