May 25, 2023 (DJIBOUTI, Djibouti): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), with the financial support of the Government of Sweden, organised a three-day workshop to validate and endorse the Djibouti National Blue Economy Strategy.
The Secretary General of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Djibouti, Mr. Dini Abdallah Omar, and the Director of Agriculture and Environment Division at IGAD, Mr. Daher Elmi, on behalf of the IGAD Executive Secretary, today inaugurated the High-Level Validation Workshop on the Djibouti National Blue Economy (BE) Strategy.
The first two days of the meeting were technical and brought together high-level representatives from the ministries of Environment and Sustainable Development; Finance and Economy; Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, and Aquatic Resources; Infrastructure and Equipment, Communication in charge of Post and Telecommunication; and Trade and Tourism.
In his welcome remarks, Mr. Daher Elmi pointed out that the concept of the Blue Economy represents a new approach to the sustainable economic exploitation of marine and aquatic resources and services while preserving ecosystems. “As a coastal country with enormous Blue Economy resources, Djibouti can play a key role in further regional integration”, he added.
In his opening speech, Mr. Dini Abdallah Omar emphasised the significance of implementing the BE strategy to strengthen Djibouti’s socio-economic development.
The World Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency, UNICEF, and other development partners were present at the third day of the high-level meeting.
The aim of the validation and adoption workshop is to foster synergies and opportunities for collaboration among stakeholders to enhance national efforts to sustainably harness the opportunities presented by the Blue Economy resources and services. Upon the High-Level adoption, the national strategy will foster cooperation and hasten national and regional development when paired with the IGAD Regional Blue Economy Strategy, adopted in April 2022.
IGAD, with financial support from the Government of Sweden, is supporting Member States to develop their respective national Blue Economy strategies. The National Blue Economy Strategy serves to guide the development and coordination of Blue Economy sectors. Besides developing a Blue Economy policy and strategic plan, countries need to establish suitable institutional arrangements for devising, coordinating, and overseeing the implementation of those plans and strategies, as well as for reviewing and monitoring their progress and achievements.
