The Kingdom of Morocco, in partnership with the World Bank, is hosting the 3rd High-Level Conference of the Blue Belt Initiative on October 7-8 in Tangier, Morocco. The conference, under the theme Building a Foundation to Boost Blue Food and Jobs under a Blue Economy development approach, will bring together experts, policymakers. and industry leaders to develop new methods and technologies that enhance productivity and environmental stewardship.
The conference aims to foster partnerships, develop action plans for blue economy roadmaps, and address climate challenges and opportunities for coastal resilience, and climate mitigation and adaptation. It will also promote regional and international collaboration, raise public awareness on the vital role of the blue economy and contribute to the success of BBI.
Day 1: The imperative of scientific knowledge on marine and coastal ecosystems to accelerate Blue food and jobs in Africa
To assess from a scientific point of view the health status of the coastal oceans in Africa, focusing on needs and solutions to enhance blue food provision and job creation.
Keynote speakers will introduce each topic, setting the stage for the roundtable discussions. Experts and scientists will deliver analytical presentations and case studies throughout these sessions. Following this, they will engage in dialogue to extract and convey the core messages, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of each topic.
Day 2: Ministerial Segment dialogue of the BBI High-level Conference: Demands and oriented solutions to accelerate Blue Food and Jobs in Africa
Exchange on demands and potential oriented solutions adapted to African regions and countries to provide blue food and create blue jobs, considering the status of the oceans and the status of the Blue Economy in Africa.
Four expert-led panels will address key cross-cutting topics on implementing specific targeted solutions tailored to African context. The sessions will explore strategies to advance the Blue Economy with a focus on blue food and jobs creation. High-level keynote speakers deliver experts’ and scientists’ recommendations to set the scene for each panel, followed by ministerial speeches to further shape the dialogue.