Tanzania is all set to host its blue economy conference, which will bring together more than 70 ministers. President Samia Suluhu Hassan presided over the opening of a significant ministerial conference from African, Caribbean and Pacific (OACPS) member states.
The conference in Tanzania, is expected to begin on September 11, 2024 and will focus majorly on key aspects of the blue economy and will explore the strategies to enhance and fortify the fishing sector.
Minister for Livestock and Fisheries – Abdallah Ulega in Dar es Salaam on August 29, 2024, on the upcoming Ministerial Conference on fisheries, Maritime Affairs and Inland Water Resources for OACPS member states, said that the conference is organised by his ministry in collaboration with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and the meeting will run concurrently with an International Conference on Strategies for Improving the Marine Food Production Chain.
Ulega added that the primary aim of the integrated conference, that marks the 8th Ministerial Meeting of OACPS, is to discuss the various issues that are related to the fishing sector among the member countries.
Reportedly, the participants will find ways of developing a unified strategy on fisheries and aquaculture policies to enhance the contribution by the sectors towards the economies of member states.
Minister Ulega further stated, “The conference will serve as a comprehensive platform for the policymakers and experts from members states to discuss the opportunities and challenges in the blue economy and will learn the strategies to address the challenges.”
According to the Minister, the conference will feature experts from the global fishing sector, government and non-governmental institutions, regional organisations, researchers, universities and small-scale fishermen, who are the key stakeholders in the event.
He also referred the conference and said that it will offer several benefits, by creating investment opportunities in the blue economy, particularly in the main areas of fishing and aquaculture.
The conference aims to improve the relationships regarding the use of natural water resources and the cultivation of aquatic organisms among the stakeholders from member states.
Moreover, the conference will open new markets for fishing products, broaden the learning scope for fishermen on efficient operational practices, building international relationships and attracting investment in deep-sea fishing.
The conference will take place over the five consecutive days at the Julius Nyerere International Conference Centre, that will conclude with the closure ceremony, led by the President and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council of Zanzibar – Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi.