The Blue Africa Summit Conference in Tangier delivered through the Tangier Declaration a call for African nations to put the sustainable development of their coastlines and special economic zones at the forefront.
Organized by the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco alongside the World Sea Forum and the “Blue Season,” this declaration aims squarely at tackling oceanic pollution, safeguarding biodiversity, and securing the future of Africa and the world.
The declaration demands proactive steps from African authorities: crafting strategic plans for achieving a sustainable blue economy. It specifically emphasizes the urgency of bolstering coastal area protection and preserving biodiversity by 30 percent before 2030. This initiative stands to shield Africa’s seas from pollution while fostering economic growth hand-in-hand with environmental conservation.
At the summit, a call was made for coastal stakeholders to prioritize community well-being when devising economic models. Additionally, nations bordering the Atlantic were urged to form an alliance, recognizing their mutual dependency in addressing shared challenges.
A standout feature of the summit was the endorsement of initiatives like the Great Blue Wall, designed to safeguard the sea as a global resource. These initiatives integrate scientific expertise, community involvement, and development strategies to promote sustainability and counter the degradation of marine ecosystems.
The Tangier Declaration highlighted the critical need for promptly ratifying the Convention on the Protection of the Sea and Biological Diversity, especially crucial given the substantial population residing in close proximity to Africa’s coasts.
United Nations Special Envoy for the Oceans, Peter Thompson, stressed the urgency of action. He emphasized the fundamental role of healthy oceans in ensuring continent-wide well-being and stressed the swift implementation of global decisions.
Thompson underscored the necessity of a collective effort involving the public and private sectors, civil society, academia, and scientific research to drive a sustainable blue economy. He highlighted imminent global commitments aimed at addressing oceanic concerns, pointing to upcoming conferences targeting coastal and plastic pollution.
The Tangier Declaration emphasized the urgency for Africa to wield decisive influence in shaping international resolutions. It emphasized Africa’s crucial role in safeguarding the Earth’s future through global decisions.
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