« LE BLEU EST LE NOUVEAU VERT » : LE PREMIER FORUM SUR L'ÉCONOMIE BLEUE DE L'AFRIQUE EST UNE RÉUSSITE
L’événement de lancement a attiré des experts internationaux qui ont étudié les façons d’exploiter les océans d’Afrique
LONDRES, R.-U., 12 juin 2018 : Le continent africain doit travailler de concert à un niveau régional et national pour mettre en place et, plus important encore, mettre en œuvre un système de gouvernance maritime durable qui profitera à l’ensemble du continent ; c’est la conclusion à laquelle sont parvenus les délégués au premier Forum sur l’économie bleue en Afrique (ABEF).
L’ABEF 2018 s’est déroulé à Londres le 8 juin pour coïncider avec la Journée mondiale de l’océan. Le Forum a attiré des experts internationaux et des ministres de gouvernements africains afin de débattre de la contribution économique des océans dans le contexte de l’Agenda 2063 de l’Union africaine et des Objectifs de développement durable des Nations Unies.
Paul Holthus, PDG du Conseil mondial des océans et porte-parole principal à l’ABEF 2018, a déclaré : « L’Afrique présente des occasions majeures d’investissement dans l’économie bleue ainsi que des défis de développement durable. Nous œuvrons à regrouper le leadership et la collaboration des communautés d’activités concernant les océans en Afrique pour profiter de ces occasions et relever ces défis ».
Lors de la table ronde sur le thème « L’économie blue et le financement des océans », Gregor Paterson-Jones, un expert indépendant sur l’investissement dans les énergies renouvelables, a déclaré : « L’économie bleue n’est pas un sujet uniforme. L’économie verte se définit plus facilement, parce qu’elle concerne les énergies « propres ». L’économie bleue comporte de nombreux secteurs avec différents types d’occasions d’investissement. Je dis toujours que le bleu est le nouveau vert ».
Les sujets de discussion ont couvert aussi bien la pêche illicite, non déclarée et non règlementée (IUU) que la sécurité maritime, la gouvernance des océans et le rôle des services de l’écosystème dans les pêcheries et l’aquaculture.
Tout au long des discussions à l’ABEF, c’est la nécessité d’agir qui a prévalu. David Luke, Coordinateur, African Trade Policy Centre, Commission économique pour l’Afrique des Nations Unies, a déclaré : « L’économie bleue étant un concept très vaste, nous devons y apporter de la cohérence. Dans la mesure où l’Afrique est concernée, nous devons faire partie du changement que nous voyons se produire sur le continent pour que l’économie bleue soit motrice ».
Il ne sera pas facile de parvenir à une approche régionale, a déclaré Yonov Frederick Agah, Directeur général adjoint, Organisation mondiale du commerce. « L’un de nos problèmes en Afrique est que nous n’aimons pas les idées », a-t-il fait remarquer. « Les ébauches de programmes sont sur l’étagère. L’intégration signifie qu’il faut lâcher prise sur certains points. »
Les conférenciers et les délégués à l’ABEF 2018 ont convenu du besoin d’un financement innovant pour commencer à développer l’économie bleue en Afrique à une échelle plus large, non seulement de la part des gouvernements, mais aussi du secteur privé. Des données pertinentes et plus de recherche sont nécessaires pour mettre au point des politiques, en particulier en ce qui concerne le changement climatique. L’éducation de la jeunesse africaine est également primordiale pour façonner l’économie bleue, qui a la capacité de fournir des emplois extrêmement nécessaires sur l’ensemble du continent.
Leila Ben Hassen, Fondatrice et PDG de l’organisateur de l’ABEF, Blue Jay Communication, a déclaré : « L’économie bleue ne relève pas simplement de la responsabilité des 38 pays côtiers africains, mais s’applique également de façon très pertinente à leurs voisins enclavés. Nous devons tous contribuer à mettre l’économie bleue en action, à aider à réduire la pauvreté, à améliorer les moyens de subsistance et à garantir un développement socio-économique durable ».
Découvrez les points forts des vidéos du premier ABEF 2018 ici.
Les renseignements concernant l’ABEF 2019 seront disponibles sur le site Web.
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À propos de l’ABEF 2018
Le premier Forum sur l’économie bleue en Afrique (ABEF) s’est déroulé les 7 et 8 juin 2018 au Radisson Blu Portman Hotel, à Londres, au Royaume-Uni. Reconnaissant que l’économie bleue est une source essentielle de richesse et de prospérité pour le continent, le forum a réuni des responsables gouvernementaux, des experts de haut niveau, des investisseurs, des entreprises, des responsables politiques, des organisations internationales, la société civile, des institutions publiques et d’autres leaders d’opinion pour mettre en évidence et discuter du large éventail d’occasions émergeant des espaces aquatiques et marins de l’Afrique. Le Forum a inclus des tables rondes, des études de cas et des occasions de réseautage. Visitez le site Web pour en savoir plus.
À propos de Blue Jay Communication
Blue Jay Communication, l’organisateur de l’ABEF 2018, est une agence internationale de communications, de relations publiques et événementielle, centrée sur l’Afrique. Avec plus de 15 années d’expérience dans les communications en Afrique et à l’international, Blue Jay travaille avec des organisations multilatérales et des gouvernements, pour créer une image forte et positive de l’Afrique et briser les stéréotypes négatifs qui l’ont entourée pendant des années. Leila Ben Hassen est la PDG de l’agence et la fondatrice de l’ABEF 2018.
Pour toute demande media et images en haute résolution, contactez :
Sarah Longbottom
PR Director
Blue Jay Communication
Leila Ben Hassen
Founder and CEO
Blue Jay Communication
‘BLUE IS THE NEW GREEN’: DEBUT AFRICA BLUE ECONOMY FORUM HITS THE MARK
LONDON, UK, 12 June, 2018: The African continent needs to work together on a country and regional level to put in place and, more crucially, implement a sustainable maritime governance system that will benefit the whole continent, concluded delegates at the first Africa Blue Economy Forum (ABEF).
ABEF 2018 took place in London on 8 June, to coincide with World Oceans Day. The Forum attracted international experts and African government ministers to debate the economic contribution of oceans in the context of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Paul Holthus, CEO of the World Ocean Council and keynote speaker at ABEF 2018, remarked: “Africa presents major blue economy investment opportunities and also sustainable development challenges. We are working to bring together ocean business community leadership and collaboration in Africa to address both these opportunities and challenges.”
Speaking on the panel discussing ‘The blue economy and ocean financing’, Gregor Paterson-Jones, an independent expert on renewable energy investment, said: “The blue economy is not a uniform theme. The green economy is more easily defined, because it relates to ‘clean’ energies. The blue economy has multiple sectors with different types of investment opportunities. I always say blue is the new green.”
Topics of discussion ranged from illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, to maritime security, ocean governance and the role of ecosystem services in fishery and aquaculture.
A strong focus on action was prevalent throughout discussions at ABEF. David Luke, Coordinator, African Trade Policy Centre, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, remarked: “Because the blue economy is such a broad concept, we need to bring coherence to it. As far as Africa is concerned, we need to be part of the change we see happening on the continent for the blue economy to have traction.”
Achieving a regional approach will not be easy, noted Yonov Frederick Agah, Deputy Director General, World Trade Organisation. “One of the problems we have in Africa is that we don’t like ideas,” he remarked. “”Blueprint programmes are lying on the shelf. Integration means letting go of certain things.”
Speakers and delegates at ABEF 2018 agreed on the need for innovative financing to start developing the Africa blue economy on a wider scale, not only from governments, but also the private sector. Relevant data and more research is required to shape policies, especially with regard to climate change. Focusing on educating Africa’s youth is also key to shaping the blue economy, which has the capacity to provide desperately needed jobs for the younger generation across the continent.
Leila Ben Hassen, Founder and CEO of ABEF organiser, Blue Jay Communication, commented: “The blue economy is not simply the responsibility of the 38 African coastal countries, but is also highly relevant to their landlocked neighbours. We must all contribute to put the blue economy into action, to help reduce poverty, improve livelihoods and assure sustainable socio-economic development.”
See video highlights of the first ABEF 2018 here.
Details of ABEF 2019 will be available on the website.
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About ABEF 2018
The first Africa Blue Economy Forum (ABEF) took place on 7-8 June 2018 at Radisson Blu Portman Hotel, London, UK. Recognising the blue economy as a major source of wealth and prosperity for the continent, the forum brought together government officials, high-level experts, investors, businesses, policy leaders, international organisations, civil society, public institutions and other opinion leaders, to highlight and debate on the wide range of opportunities emerging from Africa’s aquatic and marine spaces. The Forum featured panel discussions, case studies and networking opportunities. Visit the website for further information.
About Blue Jay Communication
Blue Jay Communication – the organiser of ABEF 2018 – is an international communications, public relations and events agency, focusing on Africa. With more than 15 years of experience in communications in Africa and internationally, Blue Jay works with multilateral organisations and governments, to build a strong, positive image of Africa and break the negative stereotypes that have surrounded it for years. Leila Ben Hassen is the agency’s CEO and founder of ABEF 2018.
For media enquiries and high-res images, please contact:
Sarah Longbottom
PR Director
Blue Jay Communication
AGENDA AND SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED
LONDON, UK, 14 MAY, 2018: The Africa Blue Economy Forum (ABEF) 2018 has announced the agenda and confirmed speakers for its first edition, in London on 7-8 June.
The Forum will bring together government ministers, business leaders, ocean experts and environmental and maritime organisations, to discuss the economic contribution of the African oceans.
A Governments Panel will address how to bring the blue economy into mainstream national and regional development plans. Speakers include HE Aziz Rabbah, Minister of Energy, Mines and Sustainable Development, Kingdom of Morocco and HE Derick Ally, High Commissioner to the UK, Republic of Seychelles, whose government is already implementing a National Blue Economy Roadmap.
Founding President and CEO of World Ocean Council, Paul Holthus and Imed Zammit, CEO, Institut Méditerranéen de Formation Aux Métiers Maritimes will discuss climate change and ocean governance, addressing increasing threats to the world’s oceans and appropriate governance frameworks on sustainability in Africa.
Maritime security has become a priority for most of Africa’s regional communities since the early 2000s, with threats ranging from piracy, to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. One panel discussion will focus on the issues of policy and security. Participants will include Captain Peter Hammarstedt, Chairman, Sea Shepherd Australia and Dr Kamal-Deen Ali, Executive Director, Centre for Maritime Law and Security Africa.
According to the Food and Agriculture Association (FAO) of the United Nations, employment in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors has grown faster than both the world’s population and employment in traditional agriculture. In Africa, the scope for sustainable aquaculture growth can positively impact extreme poverty, building resilient communities and fostering strong economies. At ABEF 2018, experts will discuss tapping in to these areas to boost job creation and training for African youth.
Leila Ben Hassen, founder of ABEF 2018 and CEO of the event’s organiser, Blue Jay Communication, said: “This programme is designed to include as many different experts in their respective fields as possible, to drive forward the conversation and – more importantly – actions on Africa’s blue economy, to the mutual benefit of local and national communities”.
Murdoch University, Perth, Australia, is hosting its first symposium on the Blue Economy in conjunction with ABEF 2018, as part of the Third Murdoch Commission on the theme ‘Africa’s Challenges for Progress: Implementing the Africa Progress Panel recommendations’.
The symposium will bring together a number of experts from Africa and around the world to explore how to advance the implementation of the recommendations made by the Africa Progress Panel related to sustainable fisheries in Africa.
For further information on ABEF 2018 and to register attendance, please visit: www.abef2018.com
About ABEF 2018
The first Africa Blue Economy Forum (ABEF) will take place on 7-8 June 2018 at Radisson Blu Portman Hotel, London, UK. Recognising the blue economy as a major source of wealth and prosperity for the continent, the forum will bring together government officials, high-level experts, investors, businesses, policy leaders, international organisations, civil society, public institutions and other opinion leaders, to highlight and debate on the wide range of opportunities emerging from Africa’s aquatic and marine spaces. The Forum features panel discussions, case studies and networking opportunities. For the full agenda and list of speakers, and to register, visit the website.
About Blue Jay Communication
Blue Jay Communication – the organiser of ABEF 2018 – is an international communications, public relations and events agency, focusing on Africa. With more than 15 years of experience in communications in Africa and internationally, Blue Jay works with multilateral organisations and governments, to build a strong, positive image of Africa and break the negative stereotypes that have surrounded it for years. Leila Ben Hassen is the agency’s CEO and founder of ABEF 2018.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Sarah Longbottom
PR Director
Blue Jay Communication
DEBUT AFRICA BLUE ECONOMY FORUM ANNOUNCED
LONDON, UK: 17 April 2018 – The first Africa Blue Economy Forum (ABEF) is to be held in London on 7-8 June 2018, to coincide with World Oceans Day. More than 150 delegates and speakers are expected to attend, including government ministers, business leaders, ocean experts and environmental and maritime organisations, to discuss the economic contribution of the African oceans.
The blue economy is an integral part of the African Union’s Agenda 2063. The debut forum will address this agenda and enable businesses and policy makers to understand, explore and invest in Africa’s blue economy, to harness its potential and create a sustainable business model for the future.
Leila Ben Hassen, founder of ABEF 2018 and CEO of the event’s organiser, Blue Jay Communication, said: “At ABEF 2018, we will discuss crucial issues, such as how the blue economy can help create jobs and accelerate sustainable growth and development across the continent.
“We will also examine which economic policies will facilitate better ocean economy and open up opportunities for investors and entrepreneurs. In Africa, where 70% of the states are coastal, the ocean is not only a key driver for global trade but is also a major source of food and energy,” Ben Hassen added.
Paul Holthus, President and CEO of World Ocean Council, an official partner of ABEF 2018, remarked: “At the World Ocean Council, we address cross-cutting issues affecting ocean sustainable development, science and stewardship. We are committed to advancing the development and implementation of industry-driven solutions to ocean sustainability challenges. ABEF 2018 is a key gathering for raising awareness and developing the network around the African ocean economy and especially the sustainable development and related business opportunities that Africa has to offer”.
The blue economy covers aquatic and marine spaces, including oceans, seas, coasts, lakes, rivers and groundwater. It includes a wide range of productive sectors, such as fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, transport, commerce and trade, shipbuilding, energy, protection and restoration. The blue economy also encapsulates extractive industries, for example underwater mining and offshore oil and gas, provided they are undertaken in a manner that does not cause irreversible damage to the ecosystem.
Welcoming the initiative, Dr Carlos Lopes, former Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) said: “Several African countries already are formulating strategies to mainstream the blue economy into their national development plans. For instance, the Seychelles has established a ministry dedicated to promoting the blue economy.
“In South Africa, Operation Phakisa is expected to create one million new jobs by 2030 and add ZAR177 billion [GBP10.2 billion] to the country’s GDP. More countries must follow suit to reap from the available socio-economic opportunities,” Dr Lopes added.
Confirmed speakers at ABEF 2018 include representatives from: UN Environment, World Trade Organisation, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Kingdom of Morocco, Republic of Gabon, Republic of Cameroon, Republic of Seychelles, World Ocean Council, WWF, Ghanaian Centre for Maritime Law and Security, One Earth Future Foundation, PWC, MAST Security, Resolute Marine Energy, The Global Ocean Trust Grid Arendal, and Sea Shepherd.
For full details and to register attendance, visit the website: https://www.abef2018.com/
About ABEF 2018
The first Africa Blue Economy Forum (ABEF) will take place on 7-8 June 2018 at Radisson Blu Portman Hotel, London, UK. Recognising the blue economy as a major source of wealth and prosperity for the continent, the forum will bring together government officials, high-level experts, investors, businesses, policy leaders, international organisations, civil society, public institutions and other opinion leaders, to highlight and debate on the wide range of opportunities emerging from Africa’s aquatic and marine spaces. The two-day event features panel discussions, case studies and networking opportunities. For the full agenda and list of speakers, and to register, visit the website.
About Blue Jay Communication
Blue Jay Communication – the organiser of ABEF 2018 – is an international communications, public relations and events agency, focusing on Africa. With more than 15 years of experience in communications in Africa and internationally, Blue Jay works with multilateral organisations and governments, to build a strong, positive image of Africa and break the negative stereotypes that have surrounded it for years. Leila Ben Hassen is the agency’s CEO and founder of ABEF 2018.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Sarah Longbottom
