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While\nemphasizing the importance of unlocking the full productive potential of\nAfrica\u2019s waters, Ms. Juma said she especially hoped to see increased\nparticipation of women and youth in all areas of the blue economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Resources\nin oceans, seas, lakes, and rivers \u2013 also known as the blue economy \u2013 if\nsustainably exploited could contribute up to $ 1.5 trillion to the global\neconomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In\nNovember 2018, experts, government officials, environmentalists, policy makers,\nand academics converged in Nairobi, Kenya, for the Sustainable Blue Economy\nConference. With the theme Blue Economy and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable\nDevelopment, the conference looked at new technologies and innovations for\noceans, seas, lakes, and rivers as well as challenges, potential opportunities\nand partnerships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According\nto Cyrus Rustomjee, a blue economy expert and a senior fellow at the Centre for\nInternational Governance Innovation, Africa has 38 coastal and island states\nand a coastline of over 47,000 km. This presents an enormous opportunity for\nthe continent to develop the sectors typically associated with the blue\neconomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To\nreduce African poverty and enhance food and energy security, employment,\neconomic growth and exports, ocean health and sustainable use of ocean\nresources, there is a need to expand fisheries, aquaculture, tourism,\ntransportation, and maritime and inland ports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He\nnotes that more than 12 million people are employed in fisheries alone, the\nlargest of the African blue economy sectors, providing food security and\nnutrition for over 200 million Africans and generating value-added estimated at\nmore than $24 billion, or 1.26% of the GDP of all African countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of\nconcern at the Nairobi conference was the current wanton and large-scale\nexploitation of the world\u2019s waters, especially in developing countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
President\nUhuru Kenyatta of Kenya expressed concern over the \u201cmassive pollution of our\nwater bodies; the evident overexploitation of water resources and their related\nbiodiversity as well as the specific challenge of insecurity, more so in the\nhigh seas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pre-conference\nadvocacy by Kenya, Canada and Japan, the main organizers of the event focused\non many issues central to Africa\u2019s development, including food security for vulnerable\ngroups and communities, malnutrition, sustainable food production and gender\nequality in blue economy industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kenya\u2019s Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Monica Juma said the discussions were dedicated to realizing the untapped potential found in our seas, oceans, lakes, and rivers and focused on integrating economic development, social inclusion and sustainability which promotes a blue economy that is prosperous, inclusive and sustainable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While\nemphasizing the importance of unlocking the full productive potential of\nAfrica\u2019s waters, Ms. Juma said she especially hoped to see increased\nparticipation of women and youth in all areas of the blue economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n