African leaders and policymakers have called for strategies to harness the potential of the blue economy to achieve sustainable development. The call came at a high-level conference hosted by the Government of Mozambique on 18 and 19 November in the City of Vilanculos. The theme was Investing in Ocean Health is Securing the Planet’s Future.
Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi hosted the event, attended by Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, Ministers from other countries and leading policymakers from Africa. African Development Bank Group President Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina delivered a virtual message during the opening ceremony, highlighting the potential of blue economy initiatives. “The continent has maritime zones that stretch 13 million square kilometers, encompassing territorial seas and continental shelves that also stretch up to 6.5 million kilometers. And 38 African countries are coastal,” he said.
Adesina said there was an urgent need to revive the livelihoods of fishing communities. “This can be achieved by governments and the private sector prioritizing enabling policies, and providing access to modern fishing fleets, cold storage and processing facilities, and investing in infrastructure and climate advisory services to support climate-smart fishing practices.”
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https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/1829687-urgent-need-to-revive-livelihoods-of-fishing-communities-afdb-president