[Source: African Union-IBAR] The Africa Blue Economy Strategy was developed following the Sustainable Blue Economy Conference that took place in Nairobi, Kenya in 2018. The African leaders at that Conference urged the African Union (AU) to work with relevant stakeholders to develop Africa Blue Economy Strategy. Such a Strategy would guide sustainable development and the utilization of aquatic resources in Africa.
The Africa Blue Economy Strategy was endorsed by the 3rd session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment in October 2019.
The African Union has identified blue ocean economy development as a priority goal towards achieving the aspiration on ‘A prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development within the context of the Africa Union Agenda 2063. Consequently, the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources
(AU-IBAR), which is a technical office of the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture of the African Union Commission, was charged with the specific responsibility to support the development of the Africa Blue Economy Strategy.
The Africa Blue Economy Strategy is consolidated based on the following five detailed thematic technical reports that are annexes to this Strategy:
1 . Fisheries, aquaculture, conservation and sustainable aquatic ecosystems
2 . Shipping/transportation, trade, ports, maritime security, safety and enforcement
3 . Coastal and maritime tourism, climate change, resilience, environment, infrastructure
4 . Sustainable energy and mineral resources and innovative industries
5 . Policies, institutional and governance, employment, job creation and poverty eradication, innovative financing.
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