The first forum for young Africans on the blue economy was held from July 25 to 27, 2024 at the Hôtel 2 février in Lomé. It brought together over a hundred participants from some twenty countries in Africa, Europe and America, with Madagascar’s Minister of Fisheries and the Blue Economy, Sem Paubert Tsimanaoraty Mahatante, as a special guest.
Mission accomplished for Commissioner General Ernest Tindo. The first African youth forum on the blue economy was a success. Placed under the theme “Development of the sustainable and inclusive blue economy: an alternative for the creation of decent jobs, the reduction of youth emigration and the development of Africa”, it aims to raise awareness among young Africans of Africa’s potential in the vast blue economy sector, develop skills linked to the sea and coastal professions for the benefit of African youth, connect the creativity and strength of African youth to the development of the African blue economy for the rebirth of Africa, and promote public-private partnerships for the benefit of the development of the blue economy in African countries.
This historic and unprecedented event for Africa, driven by African youth, was organized by the Pan-African Youth Organization for the Blue Economy (Opjeb), chaired by Ernest Tindo, who is also General Commissioner of the said Forum, in partnership with the West African Development Bank (Boad) and the Soget company, with the participation of several institutions including the African Union, the United Nations Commission for Africa, the European Commission, the SOI Foundation, the Ocean Hub Africa, Galatée Films, and others.
The work
Eminent personalities and experts led panel discussions on Friday July 26 in the Evala room at the Hôtel 2 Février in Lomé. The first panel focused on the blue economy in Africa and the rest of the world, the second on innovations for the development of the blue economy, and the third on the current state of play and planning for training and employment in the blue economy.
Panelists included HE Paubert Tsimanaoraty Mahatante, Madagascar’s Minister of Fisheries and the Blue Economy, Ambassador Nancy Karigithu, Kenyan President’s Special Envoy for the Oceans, HE Charlina Vitcheva, European Commission Director General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Georges Mba Asseko, Head of the Blue Economy Division of the African Union, Nassim Oulemane, Director of the Technology, Climate Change and Natural Resource Management Division of the United Nations Commission for Africa (Cea), Bruce Koffi from Boad, Ernest Tindo, International Consultant and Expert in the Blue Economy, Abra Kodjogbé Olando Afanvi, Director of the Blue Economy at Togo’s Haut Conseil pour la Mer, Aude Paquerot and Christophe Peycere from Soget SA, Tara Mascarenhas, Director of Programs at the SOI Foundation in Canada, Mahecor Dieng, General Manager for Africa at Airudi, Mezatio Sylvestre, Permanent Secretary of the Douala Port Community, Alexis Grosskopf Ceo of Ocean Hub Africa, Donna Lanzetta, Ceo of Manna Fish Farms in New York and many others.
The forum for young Africans on the blue economy featured panels, a screening of Jacques Perrin’s film Oceans, exhibition stands, a gala dinner, awards and distinctions, as well as business meetings and sightseeing tours.
Source: Matin Libre
