International Conference Centre Moctar ould Daddah in Nouakchott hosts from April 27 to 30, 2026 the Marine and Coastal Regional Forum organized by the Mauritanian government with the Regional Partnership for the Conservation of the Coastal and Marine Zone in West Africa.
Mauritania hosts until April 30, 2026 the 12th Regional Marine and Coastal Forum of the Regional Partnership for the Conservation of the Coastal and Marine Zone in West Africa (PRCM).
Government officials, elected officials, professionals and civil society representatives from 12 coastal countries in West Africa listen to the state of health of the oceans, the only guarantors of a blue and sustainable economy.
In West Africa, with 55% of regional GDP coming from ocean-related activities, the Nouakchott meeting therefore aims « to promote regional cooperation in coastal and marine protection » to address issues such as « the effects of climate change, coastal erosion, sea level rise, progressive deterioration in marine biodiversity, unreported and unregulated fishing and growing risks of pollution« , according to Cyrille Mbangue, communication and advocacy manager of the PRCM.
The concept of blue economy refers to the use of the sea and coasts, to create wealth and jobs, while keeping the ocean healthy for future generations.
An important theme in the face of threats to the marine environment. Resolutions should be taken at the end of the meeting to meet the identified issues.
The NGO Biodiversité, represented by Maïmouna mint Saleck, holds a stand where projects focused on nature-based solutions are exhibited. The NGO will screen two documentary films, one of which is « Voice of the Ocean » dedicated to women involved in the struggle for the preservation of the oceans.
For Laure Kuhn Bruma, head of the sustainable blue economy project in the Sustainable Ocean program of West Africa, the interest of the Nouakchott meeting is to bring together between 600 and 700 actors in the conservation and preservation of the marine ecological system in West Africa, to « set up coordinated public policies around sustainable fishing and sustainable blue economy ».
The blue economy is built on seven pillars, sustainable fishing, aquaculture, coastal tourism, marine energy, maritime transport, biotechnology, offshore oil and gas.
source : le 360 Afrique
