The Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mr. Kwesi Quartey, led the Commission on Thursday, July 25, to mark the African Day of the Sea and Oceans at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa. The theme of the event was Towards a Globally-binding Instrument on Marine Biological Diversity in Areas beyond National Jurisdictions”.

Addressing the participants, the Deputy Chairperson said ‘the abundant marine resources and biodiversity require sustainable exploitation and effective management to benefit the teeming African citizenries to reduce poverty and promote the realization of Agenda 2063: ‘The Africa we want’.

Deputy Chairperson Quartey bemoaned the fact that, of the 90% of the world’s international trade transported by sea, Africa with over 100 port facilities handled only 6%. He said these figures speak volumes in terms of the need to increase the potential of our sea-based trade, which would facilitate regional integration among Africans and also increase job opportunities.

He charged the participants to focus their deliberations on how the AU can maximise gains from Africa’s Blue Economy.

Participants of this year’s celebrations were drawn from Member States, RECs, partners, NGOs, academics and the private sector.
The celebration of Africa Day of Seas and Oceans is one of the recommendations contained in the 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy (AIMS), which provides a broad framework for the protection and sustainable exploitation of seas and oceans of Africa.