AU’s high level mission here to celebrate African Day of Seas and Oceans |06 August 2021

Ms Kanté (Photo: Joena Meme)

For the first time in history, Seychelles, as the champion for the blue economy, has been given the honour of jointly host the ‘African Day of Seas and Oceans’ event with the African Union.

The African Union summit decision assembly dedicated the 2015-2025 decade as the ‘Decade of African Seas and Oceans.’ The date for such an event was retained for July 25 but due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, this day will be officially celebrated today together with representatives of the African Union.

The 2019 and 2020 editions were postponed due to unforeseen circumstances in 2019 and Covid-19 in 2020. The commemoration will now take place today.

The overall objective of the commemoration is to raise awareness on the critical role played by Africa's oceans and seas in attaining sustainable development within the framework of Agenda 2063 sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Yesterday, Fatime Kanté, senior economist and the national EITI coordinator for blue economy policy and programme management division within the department of blue economy, met with the press to share details of the celebrations and also of the importance of the bilateral meeting.

“The celebrations will highlight the opportunities and challenges facing Africa's resources in its oceans, seas, rivers and lakes and deliberate on appropriate policies and institutional responses. The mission is expected to pay a courtesy call on President Wavel Ramkalawan; take part in the opening ceremony at State House and hold meetings with representatives of the three ministries ‒ Fisheries and the Blue Economy; Investment, Entrepreneurship and Industry; and Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment,” said Ms Kanté.

The high level delegation from the African Union summit decision Assembly/AU/Dec. 496(XXII) is being led by Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, African Union commissioner for agriculture, rural development, blue economy and sustainable environment (ARBE).

The other members are: Harsen Nyambe (acting director, directorate of sustainable environment and blue economy); Barkha Mossae (blue economy advisor); Linda Etta (blue economy coordinator); Leah Naess Wanambwa (senior policy officer, climate change) and Molalet Tsedeke (communication / presss officer).

Vidya Gappy