Grand-Bassam — A pivotal workshop to validate four thematic group reports on the blue economy opened Thursday in Grand-Bassam, led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The two-day gathering aims to align these findings with Côte d’Ivoire’s sustainable development goals while pinpointing partnership opportunities to propel the sector forward.
Dedi Séraphin, Programme Officer for FAO Côte d’Ivoire, emphasized the agency’s long-standing collaboration with Ivorian authorities to shape policies that bolster food security, sustainable natural resource management, and—through a dedicated blue economy project—the sustainable enhancement of aquatic, fisheries, and coastal resources.
“These thematic reports serve as strategic decision-making tools,” Séraphin noted, “designed to guide public policies and investments in the blue economy while reflecting ground realities and national priorities.”
Partnerships and actionable insights
Participants were urged to use the workshop to uncover concrete public-private partnership opportunities and critically assess the reports. The goal? To craft realistic, prioritized recommendations with clear accountability, ensuring actionable outcomes.
FAO’s commitment extends beyond the workshop, with plans to support Côte d’Ivoire in implementing the recommendations. This includes leveraging technical expertise and fostering dialogue among public, private, and technical partners to translate ideas into tangible, time-bound initiatives with sustainable financing mechanisms.
Government’s blue economy vision
Dr. Kaba Ibrahima, Technical Advisor to the Minister of Animal and Fisheries Resources, reaffirmed the government’s dedication to advancing a sustainable blue economy. The strategy aligns with national priorities, including food sovereignty, youth employment, and economic growth.
“We are deeply grateful for FAO’s unwavering support in promoting the blue economy,” Dr. Kaba stated. “Their technical and methodological guidance has been invaluable, and we look forward to deepening this collaboration to meet our national objectives.”
Collaborative efforts for impact
The workshop brings together key blue economy stakeholders: experts, researchers, sectoral ministry representatives, private sector players, technical and financial partners, and civil society actors. The event concludes Friday, setting the stage for a coordinated push toward sustainable marine and coastal development in Côte d’Ivoire.
