Theme: From Pledges to Stronger Partnerships: Accelerating Empowering Africa’s Blue Economy.”

Dates: 23-25 September 2025

Venue: AU HQ, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

1. Background

Africa’s ocean and aquatic ecosystems, comprising over 13 million square kilometers of exclusive economic zones (EEZs), 47,000 kilometers of coastline, and vast inland water bodies, offer immense opportunities to advance sustainable development across the continent. These aquatic resources contribute to food security, job creation, renewable energy production, marine transportation, trade, tourism, and climate regulation. However, the full potential of Africa’s Blue Economy remains underutilized and vulnerable to growing pressures such as overfishing, marine pollution, climate change, habitat degradation, and unregulated maritime activity.

Recognizing this strategic opportunity and the urgency for coordinated action, the African Union (AU) has made the Blue Economy one of its key development priorities. This is articulated in flagship continental frameworks such as:

• Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want
• 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy (2050 AIM Strategy)
• African Union Blue Economy Strategy (2020–2030)
• Africa’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy Framework (PFRS)

The AU Assembly, through its Decision 496(XXII), further declared 25 July as the African Day of Seas and Oceans and proclaimed the Decade of African Seas and Oceans (2015–2025). These actions highlight the continent’s growing political commitment to promoting sustainable ocean governance, protecting marine ecosystems, and maximizing socioeconomic benefits from aquatic resources.

In line with this vision, and as part of its milestone activities of the Decade, the African Union Commission (AUC) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and strategic regional and international partners is organizing the Africa Blue Economy Week 2025 (ABEW-25). The event will be held from 23 to 25 September 2025 in AU HQ Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and will culminate in the official commemoration of the African Day of Seas and Oceans on 25 September.

2. Objectives

The Africa Blue Economy Week 2025 and the Commemoration of the African Day of Seas and Oceans aim to:

1. Promote Awareness and Advocacy on the importance of conserving and sustainably managing Africa’s aquatic and marine resources.
2. Foster Dialogue and Cooperation among AU Member States, RECs, development partners, and stakeholders on accelerating implementation of Blue Economy policies.
3. Showcase Innovations and Best Practices from Member States and partners in blue finance, ocean governance, marine ecosystem restoration, and coastal community resilience.
4. Empower Youth and Women as central actors in ocean-based sectors and blue entrepreneurship.
5. Reflect on the Progress and Legacy of the Decade of African Seas and Oceans and articulate a clear roadmap post-2025.

3. Expected Outcomes

• High-level commitments and political declarations to reaffirm Africa’s leadership in sustainable ocean governance.
• Knowledge sharing and technical collaboration among Member States, regional bodies, and stakeholders.
• Policy recommendations and technical inputs to inform AU programming, national strategies, and partner interventions.
• Enhanced visibility of the African Day of Seas and Oceans and greater public awareness across the continent.