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The Director General of the Nigerian Agency for Maritime Administration and Safety (NIMASA), Mr. Dakuku Peterside, said that the development of the blue economy was a real strategy for advancing economies. and lift people out of poverty.
Dakuku said this Monday in Nairobi, where he led a very powerful Nigerian delegation at the opening of the first global conference on the sustainable blue economy.
Dakuku said that it is high time that Africans exploit the continent's huge maritime potential to develop their countries, explaining that climates without as many opportunities usefully exploit the ocean economy and grow. the prosperity of their populations.
According to him, "It is common knowledge that Africa can be described as the largest island on every continent. Therefore, if the countries in the region can sustainably exploit the blue economy, it is certain that a high percentage of poverty on the continent Africa would have been addressed.
The Chief Executive Officer of NIMASA, who is also President of the Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA), made a statement of commitment on behalf of the association at the co-sponsored three-day conference. by Nigeria. He explained the objectives of the AAMA, the coordinating body of the 38 African maritime administrations, namely the improvement of the capacities of the African maritime administrations, the improvement of the respect of the international maritime treaties. Member States and the coordination of programs to synchronize the ocean economy with other economic sectors.
Dakuku said: "All of the goals assigned to us by AFRICA's Maritime Transport Charter place AAMA in a unique position to fully mobilize maritime stakeholders to maximize the potential of the blue economy in Africa. .
"We have already taken a number of steps to achieve the goals set out in our various activities and activities. During our last four conferences, we have focused on the preservation and protection of the marine environment and we have committed to moving beyond the Blue Economy Conference, for the simple reason that There can be sustainability, regardless of the economic benefits, regardless of the health of the seas and oceans.
"The concept of the blue economy is perhaps the biggest sectoral change that can unleash the growth potential of our continent. It is therefore imperative that our approach to harnessing the potential of this new sector be coordinated and accelerated.
"Finally, as a continental body, the Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA) is committed to working with the Commission of the African Union (AU) and Africa. other institutions to strengthen the achievement of the goals of the blue economy for the economic prosperity of our nations and the continent. . "
Also speaking at the conference, Rwandan President Paul Kigame, president of the African Union (AU), said his union was committed to growing the blue economy on the continent. Kigame said the member states had shown their commitment to sustainable use of the ocean and that the AU would continue to formulate policies that would spur the development of the African ocean economy.
Namibian Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa said in the same vein that the Namibian government is committed to developing an integrated blue economy policy focused on protecting the marine environment of the country of southern Africa. . Kuugongelwa said Namibia has a special institution for fisheries observers, which positions it as one of the leaders in sustainable fisheries management.
It revealed that over the next 12 months, Namibia would invest a minimum of $ 5 million in marine research to advance economic inclusivity.
In his speech, Seychelles President Danny Faure, who has been named champion of the AU 's blue economy, said it would encourage more women to sit on the regime. blue economy. This, he said, would help ensure that the blue economy campaign remains global. He also said his country would work towards the establishment of a panafrican shipping company.
Other African leaders present included Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is the main host of the conference; President of Somalia Mohamed Abdullahi Mohammed; President of Tanzania, John Magufuli; Zanzibar President Ali Mohamed Shein; Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni; and Filipe Nyusi, President of Mozambique. The governments of Canada and Japan organizing the conference were represented by their senior ministers.
Also present were Secretary General of the newly re-elected International Maritime Organization (IMO) Kitack Lim, Canada's Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, the Honorable Jonathan Wilkinson, and several other major maritime players around the world.
The inaugural conference on the sustainable blue economy, which ends Wednesday in the Kenyan capital, will bring together more than 15,000 participants from around the world. They are here to discuss how to create a blue economy that exploits the potential of oceans, seas, lakes and rivers to improve the lives of people, especially developing countries.
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