UN FOOD & AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION 

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Mindelo, Island of São Vicente, Cape Verde

Background

The Blue Economy can be an engine for development for Africa as noted in the African Union "Agenda 2063 – The Africa We Want" programme. The exploitation of the vast potential in its oceans, lakes and rivers is the primary aspiration for a "prosperous Africa" (within the Agenda’s "Goals and Priority Areas for the First Ten Years").

Since 2014, the FAO Blue Growth Initiative has supported the adaptation of improved governance for aquatic sectors related to food security and the fight against poverty, the transformation of fisheries production systems, and the adoption of new practices by communities to improve their income and wellbeing from aquatic ecosystems in a way that ensures their sustainability. Under the Blue Growth Initiative, FAO is engaged throughout the world and alongside several countries in Africa to mobilize their capacity for action and support national initiatives on the path towards these transformations.

Since 2015, FAO has been committed to support Cabo Verde’s Blue Growth Charter through the Blue Growth Initiative. In 2017, with assistance provided by the African Development Bank, it was expanded to serve as a platform for dialogue between technical and financial partners supporting national initiatives. The Charter guides the development of projects for institutional reform, transformation of production systems and the adoption of practices consistent with the principles of Blue Growth.

UN SECRETARY GENERAL: The UN Secretary-General is António Guterres, appointed by the General Assembly on 13 October 2016. He was preceded by Ban Ki-moon.

The Objectives

The objective of the Conference Dialogue is to provide space and time for sharing experiences and successes in Blue Growth and Economy from around the world and, on that basis, to move forward with the implementation of the objectives for Blue Growth and Economy in Africa.

This conference will focus on the potential benefits that Blue Growth and Economy can offer Africa by participants sharing their experiences and results achieved through activities outside the African Continent, including SIDS and other FAO partners, through programmes in fisheries, aquaculture and other work related to food security, climate change, and resilience. This exchange will analyse the prospects for the development of new national projects, strengthening coordinated action at the regional level and sharing experiences and successes in the transition towards Blue Growth and Economy.

Targeted Actions

* Countries already committed to the transition towards Blue Growth and Economy share their experiences and draw on lessons learned.

* African countries interested in transitioning their economies are provided with information from initiatives supported by technical and financial partners (TFP).

* Countries jointly identify prospects for cooperation at the sub-regional and regional levels and improve coordination of Blue Growth and Economy actions nationally and regionally.

* Countries share concrete solutions proposed to guide the transition to Blue Growth and Economy through adaptation of production systems, products and markets, changes in practices, and governance reforms.

* Countries and partners share transitional markers and indicators to analyse the possibilities for global communication of African experiences through participation in major international conferences.

* Countries share ways and means they intend to develop and promote the processes for financing the transition of their economies towards Blue Growth and Economy.

The programme

The conference will address topics related to:

* Visions, concepts and issues for Blue Growth and Economy

* From concepts to action: experiences of countries and regions

* Enabling conditions for Blue Growth and Economy

* Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

* Blue Communities, Blue Production and Blue Forum (products, trade and markets)

* Drivers for transitioning towards Blue Growth and Economy

* Markers for measuring progress and success of transitions

CONTACTS

https://twitter.com/OceanActionHub

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Email: info@oceanactionhub.org

SUSTAINABLE: UN picture of traditional fishing in Evia, Greece fishing using nets from small boats as they have for hundreds of years.