Stakeholders from African Union (AU) and Nigeria have developed a template to enhance the development of the national blue economy strategy in the country.
This was the outcome of the three-day meeting held in Abuja from August 8 through August 10 , 2024.
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Earlier, at the beginning of the meeting, the minister of marine and blue economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, said the blue economy presents significant challenges and promising opportunities for sustainable development.
At the event, the minister said, “Considering the huge potential of the national marine resources, the institutionalization of the expanded partnership committee on sustainable blue economy in Nigeria was approved with a view to developing a strategic plan for the national blue economy. This is what has eventually resulted in the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
“Today marks a significant milestone as we gather here to review the draft strategy document for the Marine and Blue Economy sector. This workshop comes at a time when we are harmonizing governance structures, developing strategies and plans of action for promoting blue economy development initiatives, and this strategy document is expected to provide a comprehensive framework for harnessing the potential of our oceans while safeguarding their health for present and future generations.”
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the stakeholders, in line with their objectives, “identified priority issues, challenges, and actions that can be translated into key thematic areas in developing the National Blue Economy Strategy for Nigeria based on the Africa Blue Economy Strategy, Implementation Plan, and Governance Coordination Mechanism.
“Gather inputs from stakeholders to improve Key Issues identified by the consultant under different thematic areas towards developing the National Blue Economy Strategy Implementation Plans.”
The meeting also urged the federal government to set up blue governance and coordination mechanisms at regional and national levels in the implementation of the national blue economy strategy, create awareness, build capacity, and share lessons learned and best practices in the application of the blue economy concept.
The communiqué also recommended “the consideration of bio-blue- funds, the establishment of a fisheries commission, and national coast guards, noting that there is a need to consider artisanal input in strategy and blue energy, including sources such as tidal, wind, and floating solar panels.