Africa’s leaders commit to a common vision towards harnessing the ocean economy
H.E. President Azali Assoumani of Comoros convened a historic ministerial meeting of African ministers, government representatives and Blue Economy experts on 14 June 2023 in Moroni, the capital city of the Comoros. The meeting delved into how the continent could leverage the potential of the ocean and inland water systems for sustainable development.
The meeting adopted a strategy paper, better known as the ‘Moroni Declaration‘, which outlines a common vision and commitment to promoting the blue economy as a key driver of growth, innovation and resilience in Africa.
Article by UN Economic Commission for Africa, published on 19 June 2023.
The Great Blue Wall Challenge
The Great Blue Wall challenge calls for ocean-positive startups and social enterprises which contribute to the sustainability and resilience of the Western Indian Ocean, aligning with the Great Blue Wall Initiative and delivering benefits to people and nature.
The first challenge, launched in early 2023 is led by Friends of Ocean Action, IUCN and OceanHub Africa. It is co-funded by Mitsubishi Corporation Fund for Europe and Africa, and supported by CitiGroup, Loudhailer, Mercator Ocean International, the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA).
The Great Blue Wall – Accelerating ocean conservation and regenerative economic development in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO)
The Great Blue Wall is convening a special side event at the UN Oceans Conference, taking place in Lisbon, Portugal. The event aims is focused on “Accelerating ocean conservation and development of a regenerative Blue Economy in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region.” It will provide a platform to catalyse political momentum, mobilize resources, and share actionable commitments by States, civil society and non-governmental organizations.
Organized by IUCN and Blue Forest on behalf of GBW partners on the 29 June 2022.
Scaling locally-led marine conservation in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) for enhanced benefits to nature and people
The event showcases the current context and potential for upscaling locally-led marine conservation and sustainable small scale fisheries through ‘shared ocean’ approaches. It aims to generate a high level synthesis that will inform and strengthen a regional strategy to expand locally-led conservation and restoration efforts to complement government efforts by 2030.
Organized by UNECA, IUCN, CORDIO and WIOMSA on the 28 June 2022.
Great Blue Wall launched at UNFCCC COP26
Movement launched to conserve and restore marine and coastal biodiversity while unlocking the development of a regenerative sustainable blue economy.
Article by IUCN, published on 10 November 2021.
‘Great Blue Wall’ aims to ward off looming threats to the Western Indian Ocean
Only around 5 to 8 percent of the marine area in the Indian Ocean is under some form of legal protection, a far cry from the goal of protecting 30 percent of Earth’s land and ocean by 2030.
Article by Malavika Vyawahare, published on 6 January 2022.
The Great Blue Wall announced at IUCN’s WCC event
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and its partners endorse the Great Blue Wall initiative, which was captured as a key commitment to action at the IUCN World Conservation Congress.
Article by IUCN, published on 14 October 2021.
Press release from the James Michel Foundation
“It is a way of securing the blue future of the Western Indian Ocean region”.
Article by H.E. James Michel, former president of Seychelles. Published on 12 November 2021.
