Kinshasa Hosts the Regional Consultative Meeting for Formulating the Blue Economy in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Since April 24, 2024, numerous officials from the fisheries administration, livestock, and other key structures have gathered at the Theresanuim center in the Kintambo Commune in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. They are participating in a stakeholder consultative workshop aimed at defining priorities for developing a national strategy for the Blue Economy in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This initiative is being organized by the Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources of the African Union (AU-IBAR), with financial support from Norway and Sweden.

The Democratic Republic of Congo thus joins the list of countries such as Madagascar, Congo, Burkina Faso, Somalia, Botswana, Nigeria, and Libya that have committed to the Blue Economy.

The Blue Economy encompasses economic activities related to oceans, seas, and their coasts. This concept can include various sectors such as coastal tourism, fishing and aquaculture, maritime transport, marine energy production, submarine cable management, and more. This consultative workshop aims to produce an action plan and implementation framework to attract funding and implement projects in line with the African Blue Economy.

Participants are attending several presentations, including on the Blue Economy strategy in Africa, the implementation plan for this strategy, as well as the coordination and governance mechanisms of the Blue Economy. Discussions are also planned on national initiatives regarding the Blue Economy, highlighting the issues, opportunities, and challenges in sectors such as fisheries and aquaculture, environment and climate, maritime transport, energy, mining, coastal and maritime tourism, and gender issues.

For three days, participants will work diligently to enable the Democratic Republic of Congo to develop a strong strategy in the field of the Blue Economy.

The AU-IBAR, represented by Philippe OUEDRAOGO, emphasized the significance given to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the Blue Economy field and expressed gratitude to the country for its commitment to formulating this national strategy. The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, represented by the Secretary-General for Fisheries and Livestock, Pascaline MBANGU Kikuni, thanked the AU-IBAR for considering the country in this important cross-cutting initiative and looks forward to a clear vision that will emerge from these efforts.

Abelange TOGBE