From Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
The Africa Blue Economy Roundtable (ABER), also known as The Blue Council Africa, has commenced high-level engagements with the African Union Agenda 2063 Diplomatic Mission in Abuja to explore a strategic partnership aimed at advancing Africa’s Blue Economy agenda.
According to a statement issued by Piriye Kirayemo from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the meeting sought to establish a framework for institutional collaboration, joint programme development, resource mobilisation and coordinated implementation within the AU Agenda 2063 framework.
During a technical presentation on Blue Economy development in Africa, ABER’s Chief of Staff to the Convener and Head of its Abuja Liaison Bureau, Dr Amena Kartay, highlighted the continent’s potential to harness its marine, coastal, freshwater and aquatic resources to drive sustainable economic growth, create jobs and promote innovation and inclusive development.
Kartay stressed the need for stronger continental cooperation to translate Africa’s Blue Economy potential into measurable economic and social benefits.
Speaking at the engagement, ABER’s Director of Communication and Public Affairs, Hajiya Medina Dauda Nadabo, outlined the organisation’s mission, vision and strategic objectives, reaffirming its commitment to sustainable Blue Economy development and stronger continental collaboration.
The delegation also briefed the AU Mission on its planned engagements with key government stakeholders in the sector, including the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Marine and Blue Economy.
ABER formally invited the Mission to become a strategic partner in developing and implementing joint Blue Economy programmes.
The proposed partnership is expected to focus on programme planning, technical cooperation, stakeholder mobilisation, capacity development, investment promotion and the implementation of scalable Blue Economy initiatives across Africa.
In his response, the President of the AU Agenda 2063 Diplomatic Mission in Abuja, Ambassador Dr Stephen Ben-Joel, welcomed the initiative and expressed interest in formalising the relationship.
Ben-Joel said the Mission was ready to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ABER covering joint programme development, partnership and implementation.
He also pledged support for collaborative initiatives aimed at advancing Africa’s Blue Economy agenda.
Also present at the meeting were the Mission’s Vice President, Ambassador Architect Felix Arome, and Ambassador Adaji Onu-Ura.
The AU Agenda 2063 Diplomatic Mission in Abuja works to promote the implementation of the African Union’s long-term framework for the continent’s socio-economic transformation.
Its stated priorities include peacebuilding, institutional cooperation, water diplomacy, infrastructure development, digital innovation and economic integration, alongside efforts to promote intra-African trade, youth and women’s empowerment, and sustainable community development.