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A three-day ministerial conference on "The Blue Economy and Climate Action in Africa: Island and Coastal States at the Forefront" with a focus on the Great Blue Wall initiative will be held from 12 to 14 June 2023 in Moroni, the capital of the Union of the Comoros.

The conference will bring together ministers, experts, civil society representatives, and development partners to discuss the challenges and opportunities of the blue economy in Africa, as well as the best practices and policies to address the impacts of climate change on coastal and marine ecosystems. This meeting is expected to adopt a declaration and a roadmap for advancing the blue economy agenda in Africa, as well as a framework for cooperation and partnership among stakeholders.

The conference aims also to promote sustainable development and resilience in the African maritime sector and was organised by the Government of Comoros in partnership with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the African Union Commission (AUC), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

In February 2023, the Union of the Comoros took over the chairpersonship of the African Union (AU), the first time since the creation of the AU that an island state has been in this role. In his inaugural speech, President Azali Assoumani announced that the blue economy, climate action and defending the interests of island states would be among his priorities.

Attending the conference will be representatives from seven African island states and five coastal countries of the Western Indian Ocean ( Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Union of the Comoros).

Prior to the high-level ministerial segment, a technical meeting of experts will take place on 12-13 June 2023 to discuss a proposed concrete and action-oriented work programme and investment plan to guide fundraising efforts and accelerate the implementation of the Great Blue Wall initiative in a way that addresses the needs and priorities identified by the stakeholder countries. A high-level segment on the blue economy and the specificities of African island states with political leaders of the seven African island and coastal states will follow on 14 June 2023.

The leaders are expected to discuss the results of the expert group meeting on the Great Blue Wall initiative and to agree on a Moroni Declaration that will underscore the leadership of African island states on African ocean action for climate and blue economy development. The leaders will also  confirm their political support for the Great Blue Wall initiative and its operational roadmap.

Issued by The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa