The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) opened the first day of the 4th Technical and Steering Committee Meeting for the Blue Economy Project.
The meeting marked a renewed push to accelerate sustainable growth and resource management across the region.
IGAD Secretariat disclosed that the two-day meeting, held in Addis Ababa, brings together technical experts and steering committee members from IGAD Member States to review progress, share national experiences, and chart the next phase of Blue Economy implementation.
While presenting the project summary, Dr Wassie Anteneh, Senior Blue Economy and Fisheries Expert in IGAD’s Agriculture and Environment Division, outlined the milestones achieved since the project was launched in 2021.
He noted that the initiative has “translated the Blue Economy Strategy into concrete results, advancing biodiversity conservation, institutional capacity, and regional collaboration.”
According to IGAD, member states have made significant strides in turning national blue economy strategies into actionable programmes.
During the opening session, countries highlighted key achievements in sustainable resource use, marine and freshwater biodiversity management, and efforts to strengthen institutional frameworks overseeing Blue Economy activities.
Delegates also exchanged practical experiences and challenges encountered in rolling out their national strategies, particularly in areas such as financing, technical capacity gaps, and the need for stronger cross-border cooperation.
The meeting is expected to conclude with a consolidated set of recommendations to guide the next phase of the regional Blue Economy agenda, as IGAD pushes for greater alignment, improved coordination, and enhanced investment in this fast-growing sector.
The Blue Economy, encompassing fisheries, maritime transport, renewable energy, and aquatic ecosystems, has been identified by IGAD as a key pillar for unlocking sustainable economic transformation in the Horn of Africa.