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Why Mozambique is Leading on Growing Blue
The Government of Mozambique held its 2nd edition of the Growing Blue International Conference in Vilankulo, Mozambique on 18-19 November 2021. The focus of the conference was ‘Investing in Ocean’s Health is Securing Planet’s Future’.
His Excellency President of the Republic of Mozambique, Filipe Jacinto Nyusi led calls for a joint approach to blue growth. He stated, “In organising this international conference that we call ‘Crescendo Azul or Growing Blue’, we are doing so not just as a platform for dialogue, through which we are joining the global movement, but also to express the desire, together with our neighbours in the Western Indian Ocean region, to contribute to an ever better future for our planet.”
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His Excellency, President of the Republic of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, chief guest at the event, urged African countries to come together and develop smart solutions that unlock the blue economy while protecting the health and sustainability of the oceans. His Excellency called for not only regional but global collaboration in developing a common position to tackle ocean related threats and challenges and sustainably utilize the opportunities the ocean offers.
President Kenyatta stated, “Unfortunately, human action has put the Ocean systems under immense stress. We urgently need to create a healthy and sustainable ocean economy where effective protection, sustainable production and equitable prosperity go hand in hand, creating a triple win for people, nature, and the economy.”
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His Excellency Haakon Gram-Johannessen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway, reflected on the continuing cooperation between Norway and Mozambique to promote the issue of sustainable ocean management in the Western Indian Ocean and noting the leadership demonstrated by the government of Mozambique on these matters. He stated, “Sustainable ocean plans must be developed and implemented through an inclusive, participatory, transparent, and accountable process. Maintaining a healthy ocean will require action on many fronts and in many sectors. Action by ocean nations in all regions is exactly what we need. Our well-being depends on a healthy ocean. It always has. It always will.”
At the event’s closing ceremony, the Mozambican Minister of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries, Augusta Maita, said that through this event, Mozambique has actively contributed to the search for solutions to the problems faced by the oceans such as illegal fishing, plastic waste deposited in the sea, pollution, and other evils that threaten the preservation and conservation of the ecosystems. She concluded that the commitments made by everyone at the conference will contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals through the blue economy. The Minister said, “Alone we are limited to respond to the noble challenges of the oceans, hence the need for global action.”
Elsa Patria, Stop Illegal Fishing Chairperson, commented, “The fight against IUU fishing has long been championed by Mozambique. They have acted against illegal operators to keep the maritime domain safe, to protect legitimate operators and to promote compliance to national laws and to the conservation and management measures of the regional fisheries management organizations. In the last ten years, many have dedicated their efforts to see the vision of the SADC Regional Monitoring Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre (MCSCC) become a reality. The realisation of this Centre marks a turning point, from which the means to facilitate collaboration to protect SADC fisheries for our common future and to support the development of thriving blue growth.”
Growing Blue 2021 was a hybrid event due to the continuing restrictions caused by the Covid-19 global pandemic. Approximately 1,500 delegates from around the world attended in person and virtually, including academics, politicians, representatives of governments and states, and non-governmental organisations.
The conference ended with a promise to hold the third Growing Blue conference in 2022. This will be in alignment with ‘The United Nations Ocean Conference’ to be held in June next year in Lisbon, Portugal, which will support the implementation of UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 and will be convened jointly by Portugal and Kenya.