Events

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Global Conference on Sustainable Blue Economy

novembre 26, 2018 to novembre 28, 2018
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Extraordinary Summit of the Assembly of the African Union on Maritime Security, Safety and Development

octobre 11, 2016 to octobre 15, 2016

Lomé, Togo, 15 October 2016: African Heads of State and Government have adopted and signed the African Charter on Maritime Security, Safety and Development on Saturday, 15 October 2016 at the Extra
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1st African Day of Seas and Oceans at the AU Commission HQs in Addis Ababa. & Ki

juillet 24, 2015 to juillet 25, 2015

MEDIA ADVISORY
LAUNCH OF THE 2015-2025 DECADE OF AFRICAN SEAS AND OCEANS, CELEBRATION OF THE AFRICAN DAY OF THE SEAS AND OCEANS AND INAUGURAL SESSION OF THE STRATEGIC TASK FORCE ON THE 2050 AFRICA’S INTEGRATED MARITIME STRATEGY (2050 AIM-STRATEGY)

What: African Day of Seas and Oceans and inaugural session of the Strategic Task Force on the 2050 AIM- Strategy.

Theme: “Harnessing the Blue economy in Achieving the African Union Agenda 2063”

When: 24-25 July 2015

The meeting will feature the following events:

- 24 July 2015: The Inaugural Meeting of the African Union Strategic Task Force on the 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy (2050 AIM-Strategy)
- 24 July 2015: Panel Discussion and Official Dinner
- 24 July 2015:Ship Owners Association and Women in Maritime (as side events)
- 25 July: Launch of the Decade of Africa Seas and Oceans and
Celebration of the African Day of Seas and Oceans

Who:The African Union Commission

Where:African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Participants: The event will bring together many stakeholders including African Union Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Regional Mechanisms, Financial Institutions and Insurance Companies, the Private Sector, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Shipper Councils, Port Associations, Maritime Training Institutions, Maritime Desks of RECs, Media, etc.

Objectives: The event aims:

- To develop and adopt Terms of Reference for the work of the Strategic Task Force to accomplish the mandate given by the Malabo Decision requesting the establishment of a Strategic Task Force
- To launch the 2015-2025 as the Decade of African Seas and Oceans
- To raise awareness about the necessity to celebrate the Africa Day of Seas and Oceans both at National and Continental levels
Expected Outcome:

- Popularize the 2050 AIM-Strategy and the Africa’s Blue Economy.

- Develop a road map for consideration by the AU policy organs in view of the extraordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government scheduled to be held in Lomé, Togo in November 2015.

Africa’s seas and oceans represent today major assets to accelerate the development of African economies. Indeed, 90% of Africa’s imports and exports are conducted by sea. It then becomes necessary for the Continent to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the Blue economy. Being aware of this reality, the 22nd Ordinary Session of Heads of States and Governments adopted the Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy (2050 AIM Strategy) and its Plan of Action for Implementation. The 2050 AIM Strategy recommendedthe establishment of an Africa Day of Seas and Oceans and the launching of a Decade of African Seas and Oceans. The 23rd Ordinary Session of Heads of State and Government in Malabo requested the African Union Commission in consultation with the Permanent Representatives Committee to facilitate the establishment of a Strategic Task Force composed of Representatives of Member States, the RECs and the Commission, with a mandate to consider the technical details of the 2050 AIM-Strategy and propose a roadmap for the incremental implementation of the strategy in conformity with International Maritime Law. In line with the Malabo Decision, the African Union has scheduled 24 July 2015 to hold the Inaugural Meeting of the African Union Strategic Task Force on the 2050 AIM-Strategy and theLaunch of the Decade of Africa Seas and Oceans together with the celebration of the very first Africa Day of Seas and Oceans which will follow the meeting on 25 July 2015.

Media representatives are invited to attend and cover the events.

For any inquiry, please contact:
Samuel Kame-Domguia| Coordinator of the 2050 AIM-Strategy Task Force I African Union Commission I E-mail: SkameDomguia@african-union.org I Tel: +251911503413I Fax: +251115182719 I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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Event

Japanese Prime Minister’s Visit to the African Union: The Chairperson of the C

janvier 14, 2014

JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER’S VISIT TO THE AFRICAN UNION: THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMISSION HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF AFRICA’S VAST OCEANIC RESOURCES AND THE COMMISSION’S DETERMINATION TO PROMOTE THE CONTINENT’S BLUE ECONOMY

Addis Ababa, January 14, 2014 - As a follow up to his commitment made at TICAD V (The Fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development) held in June 2013 in Yokohama, Japan, H.E. Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, undertook an official visit to Africa, a visit that took him to the African Union (AU) Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where, in the presence of AU staff and various government officials, diplomatic corps, businessmen, local communities, and media representatives, he elaborated Japan’s foreign policy initiatives for Africa.

Echoing to the remarks made by H.E. Mr. Ato Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of Ethiopia and Chairperson of the AU, and those of H.E. Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, H.E. Dr. ZUMA, in her closing remarks, highlighted that “Africa, in addition to land resources, also has vast oceanic resources, and therefore is exploring more sustainable and inclusive ways of expanding and protecting its Blue economy, yet another area where we can share experience with Japan.”

Dr. ZUMA’s statement reveals the extent to which the AU Commission and Africans in general have decided to protect their maritime domain and promote the continent’s Blue Economy, a dimension that holds a prominent place in the AU 2063 Agenda. Such a vision is well-articulated in the AU 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy (2050 AIM-Strategy), an African comprehensive, integrative, innovative and multi-layered common approach developed by Africans, with Africans, and for Africans on the basis that Africa’s socio-economic development highly depends on her Maritime industry, Blue Economic and Blue Growth, also referred to, by the AU 387th Peace and Security Council held at Ministerial level on July 29, 2013, as “a new frontline of Africa's true and meaningful renaissance.”

For further details on the 2050 AIM-Strategy and its Plan of Action, please visit: www.au.int/maritime
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Interpol Shows Interest in Supporting the African Union 2050 Africa’s Integrat

décembre 12, 2013

INTERPOL SHOWS INTEREST IN SUPPORTING THE AFRICAN UNION 2050 AFRICA’S INTEGRATED MARTIME STRATEGY (2050 AIM-STRATEGY) TASK FORCE

Lyon, December 12, 2013 - At the invitation of Interpol, a delegation from the African Union (AU), led by Mr Okechukwu Emmanuel IBE, Bureau of the AUC Chairperson, made the trip to the Headquarters of Interpol in Lyon to inter alia discus the AU’s 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy (2050 AIM-Strategy) Task Force and prospect viable ways for fruitful cooperation between the two (2) Institutions.

The AU delegation, made up of the following members: Mr. Bertino Matias Matondo, Bureau of the AUC Chairperson, and Mr. Samuel Kame-Domguia, Coordinator of the 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy (2050 AIM-Strategy) Task Force, held meetings with Interpol Secretary-General, Mr. Ronald NOBLE and his Maritime Security Staff. AU Commission-Interpol Plan of Action was at the center of the discussions. The Interpol leadership expressed their unconditional support towards the AU 2050 AIM-Strategy and its Plan of Action. They went a step further by deciding to partner with the AU Commission in providing support in the implementation of the Yaoundé Inter-regional Coordination Centre on Maritime Safety and Security for Central and West Africa, as well as the operationalization of Regional Maritime Centers throughout Africa.

During these four (4) days, the mission of the AU delegation was punctuated by various visits to Interpol key information sharing and coordination installations, as well as numerous presentations delivered by the host organization on, among others, maritime safety and security program, marine environmental crime and maritime security initiatives, illegal trafficking in Africa, and counter terrorism measures.

At the end of the visit, both parties agreed to further explore possibilities of developing win-win cooperation frameworks, particularly in the fields of capacity building and experience sharing from lessons learned.

The outcome of such a visit would undoubtedly help the 2050 AIM-Strategy Task Force better sharpen the implementation of the 2050 AIM-Strategy and its Plan of Action for the sake of better promoting the interests of African populations as well as enhancing the global security standards.

For further details on the 2050 AIM-Strategy and its Plan of Action, please visit: www.au.int/maritime
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The AU 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy Making Strides on the Intern

décembre 05, 2013

THE AU 2050 AFRICA’S INTEGRATED MARITIME STRATEGY MAKING STRIDES ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE

Lisbon, December 5, 2013 -At the invitation of the Portuguese Government, a delegation from the African Union (AU) 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy (2050 AIM-Strategy) Task Force participated in the Lisbon Atlantic Conference held on December 4-5, 2013.

The theme of the Conference was “Blue Growth of the Atlantic”, a theme that situates the importance of the Atlantic Ocean as a sea of opportunities, an image well-captured by the Portuguese who describe their country as made of 3% of land and 97% of opportunity.
It was indeed very important that the hosts invited the AU Commission as they have expressed their keen interest in playing an important role, through a transfer of maritime know-how and technological expertise, in the implementation of the 2050 AIM-Strategy and its Plan of Action, an African driven vision geared towards Blue Growth promotion.

Led by the Coordinator of the 2050 AIM-Strategy Task Force, Mr. Samuel KAME-DOMGUIA, the AU delegation, in the margins of the Conference, met with the Portuguese Minister of Agriculture and Sea, the European Union (EU) Director-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, who was representing the President of the EU Commission, the Portuguese Secretary of State for the Sea, the Special Advisor on Maritime Affairs and Environment to the President of the Portuguese Republic, the Director-General of Maritime Policy, to only cite a few. These meetings with various maritime authorities were motivated by the Task Force’s intention to elaborate more on how the AU 2050 AIM-Strategy would contribute to positively change the destiny of African populations through blue growth promotion.

Seen as the “new frontline of Africa's renaissance” as stressed by the 387th Peace and Security Council in its Final Communiqué on July 29, 2013, Blue Economy and Blue Growth constitute the essence of the 2050 AIM-Strategy, a very innovative, comprehensive and integrative vision that seeks to promote Africa’s maritime resources and the all economy around the continent’s maritime industry.

At the end of the visit, both parties, the AU and the Portuguese Government, agreed to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to seal their keen determination to cooperate for the sake of a win-win partnership so to protect our waters and the marine life, and, by the same token, take advantage of the incommensurable wealth sited beneath ours waters, seas and oceans.

For further details on the 2050 AIM-Strategy and its Plan of Action, please visit: www.au.int/maritime
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The AU 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy Task Force Visiting Portugue

décembre 03, 2013

THE AU 2050 AFRICA’S INTEGRATED MARITIME STRATEGY TASK FORCE VISITING PORTUGUESE MARITIME FACILITIES

Lisbon, December 3, 2013 - At the invitation of the Portuguese Government, a delegation from the African Union (AU) 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy (2050 AIM-Strategy) Task Force was sent to Lisbon, Portugal in order to learn from the Portuguese experience and expertise because, as a nation made of 3% of land and 97% of waters, Portugal has a great deal of maritime know-how and technological expertise that could be transferred to Africa.

Led by the Coordinator of the 2050 AIM-Strategy Task Force, Mr. Samuel KAME-DOMGUIA, the AU delegation, from November 27 to December 3, 2013 had a workshop on Portuguese vast experience in Maritime Affairs and visited various Portuguese Maritime Institutions such as the Directorate-General for Maritime Policy (DGPM), the Directorate-General for Natural Resources, Safety and Maritime Services (DGRM), the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (ISA), the Portuguese Navy Operational Command (NOC), the Task Group for the Extension of the Continental Shelf (EMEPC), and the Directorate-General for Maritime Authority (DGAM).

Considering the AU’s Giant Aquarium Program and the Information Technology aspects of this visit, the AU delegation also undertook a field-work that led them to visiting key maritime infrastructures and facilities in Portugal such, as among others, the Fish and Oyster Production Unit in Algarve (in the Southern part of Portugal), the Earth Observation System (EOS), the Coastal Vessel Traffic Control Center (VTS), the Maritime Security Operations Center (COMAR), the “Luso” Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV), the Survey Vessel (SV), and the Lisbon Oceanário (Giant Aquarium of Lisbon). These visits were motivated by the keen desire to learn from the Portuguese experiences and expertise so to better improve African perspectives on the implementation of the 2050 AIM-Strategy and its Plan of Action.

For further details on the 2050 AIM-Strategy and its Plan of Action, please visit: www.au.int/maritime
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2013 Mo Ibrahim Foundation Forum: The Chairperson of The African Union Commissio

novembre 10, 2013

2013 MO IBRAHIM FOUNDATION FORUM: THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF AFRICAN BLUE ECONOMY

Addis Ababa, November 10, 2013 - The 2013 Mo Ibrahim Foundation Forum was held at the African Union (AU) Commission Headquarters on November 10, 2013 under the Theme: “Africa Ahead: The Next 50 Years”. This theme was in line with the 50th Anniversary of the OAU/AU and aimed to spell out major opportunities and specific policy challenges the continent will have to address over the next 50 years. Present at this continent-wide ceremony were high profile African personalities such as, among others, H.E. Ato Hailemariam Dessalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia and Chairperson of the AU, H.E. Dr. Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. Dr. Carlos Lopes, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, H.E. Dr. Donald Kaberuka, President of the African Development Bank Group, H.E. Dr. Jean Ping, former Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim, former Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), H.E. Mr. Trevor Manuel, Minister in the Presidency in charge of National Planning Commission, South Africa, and H.E. Dr. Mo Ibrahim himself, Founder and Chair of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation.

In her opening note, H.E. Dr. Zuma highlighted, among others, the importance of promoting Africa’s Blue Economy and Blue Growth by stating: “To the Green Economy, we must add the Blue Economy, namely maritime resources and the all economy around the maritime industry,” a sine qua non condition to Africa’s true and meaningful renaissance that guarantees, protects and advances the socio-economic interests of African populations.

Such a statement from the Chairperson of the AU Commission reveals the extent to which the maritime dimension and the Blue Economy in Africa’s Renaissance hold a prominent place in her mandate to elaborate the AU 2063 Agenda, a global Strategy aimed at optimizing the use of Africa’s resources for the benefit of all Africans. By the same token, she exhorts African leaders and policy-makers to take ownership of African Maritime Domain.

It is therefore in line with this goal that the 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy (2050 AIM-Strategy), an African comprehensive and integrative vision, has been developed by the AU Commission with the conviction that Africa’s socio-economic development highly depends on her Maritime industry, Blue Economic and Blue Growth for the benefit of future African generations.

For further details on the 2050 AIM-Strategy and its Plan of Action, please visit: www.au.int/maritime
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AU-EU Relations: A Fruitful Workshop Held between the Task Force of the African Union 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime...

novembre 04, 2013

AU-EU RELATIONS : A FRUITFUL WORKSHOP HELD BETWEEN THE TASK FORCE OF THE AFRICAN UNION 2050 AFRICA’S INTEGRATED MARITIME STRATEGY AND EXPERTS FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION

Addis Ababa, November 4, 2013 - Experts from the European Union (EU) were sent by Brussels, through the Support Mechanism of Africa-EU Partnership, to the Headquarters of the African Union Commission (AUC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to discuss, share experiences and prospect viable ways of cooperation with respect to the 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy (2050 AIM-Strategy).

The EU expert mission was led by Vice-Admirals Patrick Hebrard, Anthony Dymock and Fernando del Pozo. For four (4) days (28 October – 1st November 2013), this delegation had an intense workshop with the 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy (2050 AIM-Strategy) Task Force so to first get to know more about the content of the 2050 AIM-Strategy and its Plan of Action, then learn from African perspectives on how the continent is strategically planning to address the challenges and opportunities of its inland waters, seas and oceans, and by the same token provide recommendations and suggestions based upon their experience and expertise in order to better improve the 2050 AIM-Strategy. The two (2) parties agreed that an efficient and effective implementation of the 2050 AIM-Strategy and its Plan of Action would provide socio-economic benefits to the African populations through enhanced safety and security.

The Africa-EU partnership facilitated the mission and enabled exchanges between the AU Task Force and the Vice-Admirals who work as the Wise Pens. The Wise Pens International provides in-depth independent analysis, authoritative orientation and advice to governmental and non-governmental institutions in maritime-related affairs, together with strategies and solutions to address the challenging waves leading to a safe, secure and stable maritime domain that will guarantee a sustainable Blue Economy and Blue Growth.

For further details on the 2050 AIM-Strategy and its Plan of Action, please visit: www.au.int/maritime
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The 387th Peace and Security Council Meeting Supports the Call by the Yaoundé Summit to Elaborate and Adopt a Regional...

août 02, 2013

THE 387TH PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING SUPPORTS THE CALL BY THE YAOUNDÉ SUMMIT TO ELABORATE AND ADOPT A REGIONAL STRATEGY IN LINE WITH THE AU 2050 AIM-STRATEGY
Press Release Nº 124/2013

Addis Ababa, August 2, 2013 – On July 29, 2013, the Conclusions of the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the Commission of the Gulf of Guinea (CGG) on Maritime Safety and Security in the Gulf of Guinea, which took place in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on June 24-25, 2013, were at the heart of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) during its 387th meeting, held at the Ministerial level.

The PSC commended the Heads of State and Government of the ECCAS, the ECOWAS, and the CGG for their historic approach aimed at boosting maritime safety and security in African Maritime Domain.
Welcoming with great satisfaction the activities of the Yaoundé Summit, the Ministers called upon the ECCAS, the ECOWAS, the CGG, and other Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in the continent to elaborate and adopt regional strategies in line with the AU 2050 AIM-Strategy for the sake of strengthening the security and safety of African Maritime Domain.

The PSC thus reiterated the pertinence of the 2050 AIM-Strategy as a very innovative and comprehensive tool that will undoubtedly contribute to advance Africa’s agenda in the challenging waves leading to a safe, secured and stable African Maritime Domain, and guaranteeing therefore a sustainable Blue Economy and Blue Growth referred to by the Council as “a new frontline of Africa's renaissance.” (To review the full Communiqué, please Click http://pages.au.int/maritime/events/communique-peace-and-security-counci...)

For further details on the 2050 AIM-Strategy, please visit www.au.int/maritime.
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Communiqué of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 387th meeting on the Conclusions of the...

juillet 29, 2013

Communiqué of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 387th meeting on the Conclusions of the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Commission of the Gulf of Guinea (CGG) on maritime safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea, held in Yaoundé, on 24 and 25 June 2013
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Summit of Heads of State and Government on Maritime Safety and Security in the Gulf of Guinea, Yaoundé, Cameroon

juin 24, 2013 to juin 25, 2013

AU’S 2050 AIM STRATEGY ONCE MORE IN THE SPOTLIGHTS AT THE SUMMIT OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT OF ECCAS, ECOWAS AND CGG

Yaoundé June 24-25, 2013 - Summit of Heads of State and Government on Maritime Safety and Security in the Gulf of Guinea

Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the Commission of the Gulf of Guinea (CGG), gathered on June 24-25, 2013 in Yaoundé, Cameroon to adopt key strategic documents in response to illicit and illegal activities in the Gulf of Guinea. This summit showed the increasing commitment of African leaders to express political will and set the leadership tone in the governance of African Maritime Domain.

The two-day Yaoundé Summit on safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea will remain vibrant in the annals of history, thanks to the attendance by twenty-five (25) African Union (AU) Member States. Over 1.000 people participated in the Summit.

Besides the host, His Excellency Paul Biya from Cameroon, Alassane Dramane Ouattara from Côte d’Ivoire, Thomas Yayi Boni from Benin, Blaise Compaoré from Burkina Faso, Denis Sassou N’Guesso from Congo, Idriss Deby Itno from Chad, Ali Bongo Ondimba from Gabon, Manuel Serifo Nhamadjo from Guinea Bissau, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo from Equatorial Guinea, Mahamadou Issoufou from Niger, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan from Nigeria, Manuel Pinto Da Costa from São Tomé and Principe, and Faure Gnassingbe from Togo, all made their presence felt in Yaoundé, capital of Cameroon.

Thirteen (13) other AU Member States responded present at this summit. Among these countries were Angola, Burundi, Cape-Verde, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Gambia (represented by their Vice President), Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Senegal and Sierra Leone (most of them were represented at Ministerial level).
Representatives from the ECOWAS, ECCAS and CGG were also present at this Summit. The United Nations sent representatives while observers flew in from Belgium, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, Spain, United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

In addition, the European Union (EU), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), and the Africa Centre for Strategic Studies (ACSS) were represented at this Summit. 400 Press Accreditations where issued.

As a major source of oil, cocoa, metals and various other natural resources for world markets, the Gulf of Guinea is increasingly seen as a key strategic point and an incommensurable source of wealth for regional actors and Africa in general. Mutualizing efforts and integrating them to ensure situational maritime domain awareness in this region remains therefore an indispensable milestone towards ensuring sustainable Africa’s economic growth.

With Africa having become a major hub for global crude oil theft, money laundering, illegal arms and drug smuggling, human trafficking, human smuggling, environmental crimes, piracy and armed robbery at Sea, dumping of toxic waste, and maritime terrorism, African leaders and decision-makers have realized that it is time to step up the continent’s strategic approach towards maritime safety and security as the future of Africa lies in her Blue Economy, a new frontline of Africa’s renaissance.

In his opening speech, President Paul BIYA of Cameroon stressed that Maritime insecurity “poses a serious threat to the peace and stability of African States (as) it undermines the people’s development and wellbeing.”

In addition, during the Closing of the Summit on June 25, 2013, he emphasized: “I would also like to commend the African Union’s Initiative to draw up the 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy (2050 AIM Strategy).”

Representing the Chairperson of the African Union Commission at this Summit, Dr. Anthony Mothae Maruping, Commissioner for Economic Affairs of the African Union Commission, stressed on the complexity and interconnectivity of Maritime safety and security issues, a situation that requires the design of “smart comprehensive and integrated strategies, like the 2050 AIM Strategy.”

Echoing to the message of H. E. Mr. Koji Sekimizu, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) who, during the 5th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V) last June 4th, 2013, praised the AU’s 2050 AIM Strategy, appealing on African states to translate it into reality as Africa’s development depends on the promotion of her Maritime industry, Blue Economic and Blue Growth, Dr. Anthony Mothae Maruping pointed out that the development of African Maritime Domain is now considered as a high priority in Africa’s agenda, especially within the framework of the AU’s 2050 AIM Strategy.

Having decided on the creation of an Inter-regional Coordination Centre on Maritime Safety and Security for Central and West Africa headquartered in Yaoundé, Cameroon, and the adoption of the Code of Conduct on the prevention and repression of acts of piracy, armed robbery against vessels, and illicit activities in the West and Central African maritime domain, in their final Declaration, the Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS, ECCAS and the GGC vividly expressed their unconditional support to the AU’s 2050 AIM Strategy (Article 2.2 of the Yaoundé Declaration of June 25, 2013). They went a step further exhorting each regional organization and the Commission of the Gulf of Guinea to “elaborate and adopt a regional strategy in line with the 2050 AIM Strategy.” (Article 2.4.a. of the Yaoundé Declaration).

An African vision integrating all aspects related to the governance of African Maritime Domain with the ultimate goal of promoting the well-being of African populations, the 2050 AIM Strategy and its Plan of Action were adopted in December 2012 by African Ministers in charge of Maritime-related Affairs, a defining step towards a safe, secured and stable African Maritime Domain that guarantees a sustainable Blue Economy and Blue Growth for African development.

For further details on the adopted documents and speeches during the Summit of Heads of State and Government on Maritime Safety and Security in the Gulf of Guinea, please visit www.au.int/maritime.