3rd Africa Blue Economy Week/High-level Africa Sustainable Blue Economy

WHAT: The African Union Commission (AUC) through its Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE) is organizing the 3rd Africa Blue Economy Week under the theme "From strategy to Action: Political Leadership for Africa's Blue Economy Transformation".

WHEN: 22 - 25 July 2026
Official opening ceremony of the expert session: Wednesday 22nd July, and High-Level Ministerial Session on Friday 24th July starting from 9:00 (GMT+1) respectively.

WHERE: Luanda, Republic of Angola (Intercontinental Hotel).

WHO:
The Africa Blue Economy Week is organized by the African Union Commission in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Government of Angola.

Objective:

The High-Level Africa Sustainable Blue Economy Conference aims to:

● Strengthen political leadership, policy implementation, and national ownership of Africa's Sustainable Blue Economy agenda by reinforcing high-level commitment among AU Member States to accelerate domestication and implementation of continental and regional blue economy frameworks, aligned with Agenda 2063, national development priorities, and climate adaptation strategies.
● Mobilize investment and scale financing for Sustainable Blue Economy transformation by catalyzing sovereign, multilateral, private sector, and philanthropic capital; advancing bankable, investment-ready programmes; and addressing regulatory, institutional, and risk-related barriers that constrain investment, innovation, and enterprise development across blue economy sectors.
● Enhance coordination, capacity building, knowledge sharing, and ocean data systems among AU Member States, RECs, and partners through strengthened cooperation, structured peer learning, exchange of replicable models and best practices, and strengthened ocean observation, data, science, and knowledge systems that support evidence-based planning, forecasting, early warning, and decision-making.
● Promote inclusive and sustainable participation in Blue Economy value chains by expanding economic opportunities and leadership roles for youth, women, and vulnerable groups as entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, and decision-makers, with improved access to finance, markets, technical skills, certification, and governance platforms.
Expected Outcomes:
● Endorsement of The Luanda Declaration and Call to Action, articulating shared priorities and commitments to accelerate implementation of Africa's blue economy agenda,
● Strengthened political commitment and coordination among AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities, and other stakeholders.
● Expanded partnerships and investment engagement involving development partners, private sector actors, African Think Tanks, and innovation communities to support sustainable and inclusive blue economy growth.
● Increased participation of youth, women, and people living with disabilities innovators and dissemination of best practices and knowledge exchange.
● Enhanced capacity of Member States to operationalize ocean knowledge into services that directly benefit communities and productive sectors
● Improved articulation of socio-economic outcomes, including job creation, increased incomes, reduced disaster losses from improved early warning, and climate resilience indicators enabling systematic tracking of implementation progress against Agenda 2063 milestones, and strengthened resilience

Participants

The high-level event will bring together participants including:

● Ministers responsible for the blue economy from AU Member States; Regional Economic Communities (RECs); Technical experts from AU Member States; African Union Organs and Specialized Institutions; Partners, Youth and Women Innovators; and Academia and Non-State Actors, among others.

Background:

The African Union has constructed a comprehensive policy architecture for the Blue Economy. Agenda 2063 identifies it as a primary driver of Africa's structural transformation. That strategic intent is backed by a set of operationally specific instruments each adopted at the highest continental level, each carrying concrete targets and implementation obligations that remain substantially unmet:

● The 2050 Africa's Integrated Maritime Strategy (2050 AIM Strategy) formally adopted the strategy and its Strategic Plan of Action in January 2014, positioning the continent's blue economy as the "New Frontier of African Renaissance" (Doc. Assembly/AU/16(XXII) Add.1) establishing the continental maritime vision across six strategic axes including maritime safety and security, maritime economy, and ocean governance.
● The African Union Commission and NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NEPAD Agency) 2014 Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa Creating a conducive and enabling environment for the fish sector to create equitable, social, and economic development in Africa.
● The Africa Blue Economy Strategy (ABES) was endorsed in October 2019 by the African Union Specialized Technical Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment (STC-ARDWE) providing the integrated framework for sustainable use of ocean and freshwater resources, including blue carbon, marine spatial planning, and ocean data governance.
● The Revised African Maritime Transport Charter (RAMTC) was adopted by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Kampala on 26 July 2010, which formally entered into force on 14 August 2025 establishing the legal and institutional framework for maritime transport, port governance, and cabotage rights across the continent
● The Lomé Charter on Maritime Security, Safety and Development in Africa (2016) establishing enhanced cooperation among African states to strengthen maritime security, protect the marine environment, and foster a sustainable blue economy.
● The African Union Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (ABSAP) 2023-2030 a comprehensive framework endorsed by the 37th AU Summit in February 2024 to guide continental efforts in conserving biodiversity, restoring ecosystems, and fostering sustainable economic growth.

For further information:
Media inquiries:

Mr. Molalet Tsedeke | Senior Communication Officer| Information and Communications Directorate| African Union Commission | Email: [email protected]; Tel. +251-911-630-631; www.au.int