COP28: Climate experts advocate for strengthened AU-EU collaboration on ocean governance, blue economy
Climate change experts, at the recently concluded COP28 held in Dubai, underscored the critical need for Africa and the European Union to enhance their collaboration in ocean governance and the blue economy.
The side event, titled “Leveraging African Leadership on Ocean Governance and Blue Economy: Strengthening Cross-Continental Cooperation,” was conducted in partnership with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Union Development Agency – New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD).
Jean-Paul Adam, Director of Policy, Monitoring, and Advocacy in the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa to the UNSG, highlighted the ocean’s pivotal role in global climate and biodiversity action, food security, and sustainable development. Despite its significance, ocean cooperation has not been a central focus in the AU-EU dialogue.
Mr. Adam emphasised the need to address unsustainable human activities affecting the ocean and transform fishing practices into a sustainable value chain, incorporating renewable energy for the cold chain.
He noted that the AU has recognised the blue economy in its Agenda 2063, emphasizing the importance of translating this recognition into a specific strategy.
Mr. Adam also acknowledged the June 2023 Moroni Declaration for Ocean and Climate Action in Africa as progress toward addressing climate change and implementing the blue economy.
“Unsustainable human activities and their harmful impacts continue to degrade the ocean leading to profound changes and hampering the much- needed achievement of the UN 2030 and AU 2063 Agendas,” said Mr. Adam.
“Current modes of fishing in Africa are extractive. In contrast Local communities have less value addition and limited participation in the value chain. We need to change this into a sustainable value chain like investing in renewable energy for the cold chain,” he added.
Harsen Nyambe, Director of Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment at AU, emphasized the instrumental role of Africa–European Union partnerships in addressing challenges such as climate and biodiversity crises.
The AU is committed to working with the EU on the blue economy and has established Centers of Excellence across the continent to contribute to evidence-based policy making and improve ocean literacy.
Nassim Oulmane, Acting Director of Technology, Climate Change, and Natural Resource Management, emphasized the shared coastline between Africa and the EU and the importance of partnership in addressing climate change and pollution.
He stressed the need to scale up initiatives on climate change for ocean diversity and highlighted the collaboration between ECA and IUCN on a green wall initiative in the eastern part of the African Indian Ocean.
“Both the AU and the EU have recognised that it is time to make progress on ocean cooperation while considering economic and social opportunities that fit with different levels of development across Africa and Europe,” said Mr. Oulmane.
Pascal Lamy, Vice-President of the Paris Peace Forum and Chair of the EU Starfish Mission, emphasized that partnerships require time and resources.
He underscored the importance of monitoring progress and assessing the efficacy of existing initiatives to ensure the desired outcomes of the cross-continental partnership are met.
Mr. Lamy called for a shared vision on ocean management and preservation, emphasizing the exchange of best practices and learning through reinforced multilateralism and capacity sharing.
COP 28, he noted, presents an opportunity for countries to reflect, collaborate, and address the challenges of climate change with political will and leadership from both Africa and the European continent.
“A shared vision on ocean management and preservation is fundamental for exchanging best practices and learning on blue ocean economy through a reinforced multilateralism and capacity sharing,” said Mr. Lamy.
