Today marks the start of the third Project Technical and Steering Committee Meetings of the Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity in the Africa Blue Economy Project, run by the African Union’s Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), currently taking place in Mombasa, Kenya.
The meetings, which are supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), aim to enhance marine biodiversity protection as well as promote the sustainable use of biodiversity resources across the African continent.
The meetings, which are to take place until 9th October 2024, serve as a crucial platform for evaluating the project’s progress, addressing implementation challenges, and developing actionable recommendations for future endeavors.
The Technical Committee meeting is the first to begin as it formulates recommendations that are later taken to the Project Steering Committee for review and approval, ensuring a cohesive approach to the project’s ongoing development.
High-profile attendees at the meetings include the Commissioner of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (ARBE), along other representatives from the Swedish Embassy to the African Union and the FAO Regional Office for Africa. Their presence shows the project’s importance, as their insights are anticipated to provide valuable direction for the initiative.
Additionally, Permanent Secretary-level representatives from various AU Member States, including Uganda, Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon, South Africa, and Egypt, are also participating in the implementation discussions.
These meetings are expected to cover a wide range of topics as attendees will receive presentations from the past Project Steering Committees, highlighting the project’s accomplishments since it began. They will also cover the budget, expenditures, and proposed activities for a no-cost extension. The previous meetings were held in September, last year at Naivasha, Kenya.
The Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity Project, which started in 2021, has already made significant strides in several key areas. It has successfully ratified and aligned relevant international and regional instruments focused on blue economy themes, particularly those aimed at protecting and conserving biodiversity.
In fact, much effort has been made to optimize conservation and sustainable biodiversity practices while minimizing conflicts among users of blue economy resources. The project has also strengthened measures to mitigate the negative impacts of coastal and marine tourism, oil and gas exploration, deep-sea mining, and climate change on aquatic biodiversity and the environment.
Notably, a commitment to enhancing gender inclusivity in aquatic biodiversity conservation and environmental management stands as a cornerstone of the project’s approach.
As stakeholders convene in Mombasa, they continue to engage in constructive dialogue aimed at refining strategies and ensuring the effective implementation of the project. This shows the shared commitment of AU member states and partners to foster a sustainable and resilient blue economy in Africa.
The outcomes of these meetings will shape the future of aquatic biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource management across the continent, marking a significant step towards a more environmentally conscious and economically viable blue economy sector in Africa.
