Her Excellency Amb Josefa Sacko, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment,

Distinguished representatives of African Union Member States and Regional Economic Communities,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

All our participants online,

Good morning.

It is my pleasure to welcome you all to Nigeria and we are honoured to host the Women in Blue Economy Workshop. I cannot overemphasise the importance of this meeting, which gives centre stage to Africa’s backbone: its women.

Over the last decade, global interest in the ‘blue economy’ has been growing, as countries have begun to realise that our oceans and seas are repositories for tremendous wealth, in terms of natural capital, ecosystem services and living and non-living resources. The African region has also understood that our maritime and aquatic resources are critical to our aspirations of Agenda 2063.

In doing this Nigeria has set a vision 2050 and Medium Term Development Plan with the Ocean Economy being an integral part of it. As part of Nigeria’s plan to realize its Blue Economy potential, we have constituted a Presidential committee on sustainable blue economy charged with providing an assessment of the current realities, opportunities and challenges for economic diversification and growth of a sustainable blue economy in Nigeria, and identifying policies including institutional/capacity-building mechanisms for blue economy development. In our Sub-Region, Nigeria has led the ECOWAS Countries in the POST 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework Negotiation Process by pushing for the ocean protection target.

In Ensuring sustainable ocean management, we have done the following;

i. Embarked on the creation of 2 Marine Protected Areas, this has received the presidential assent and it is currently undergoing legislative processes;

ii. Formulated National Policy on Plastic Pollution to address the menace of Marine Plastic pollution from land based sources and activities;

iii. Formulated National Solid Waste Management Policy;

iv. Established the National Road Map on solid and plastic waste management in Nigeria to be launched in July, 2022.

We are also organizing a Blue Economy Forum in September 2022 and wishes to see the African Union Commission participate in this flagship event.

Nigeria’s blue economy remains one of the country’s anchor sub-sector with maritime trade contributing about 1.6 percent and fisheries contributing to 3-5 percent to the GDP. Fisheries, for example, account for up to 40% of the country’s protein intake, which is critical for the attainment of food security and nutrition goals. Nigeria’s Cross River Estuary is Africa’s largest mangrove sanctuary, representing a critical asset for the continent in terms of carbon sequestration and capture, thereby contributing to SDG13 on Climate Change.

Africa’s women have been at the helm of environmental activism, often paying the ultimate price for seeking to protect their lands, livelihoods and families. Women are also net drivers of economic activity, particularly in Africa where many, if not the majority, of Small and Medium Enterprises are either women-led or underpinned by women’s labour.

It is also clear that environmental challenges affect women disproportionately. The example of the Sahel region, is a clear testament of the importance of tackling climate change and access to resource urgently, as well as setting up governance mechanisms that can withstand exogenous shocks. Climate change has an impact on access to water and enhance land degradation, which in turn undermines our efforts for agriculture production and food security, leaving women with the burden of caring for communities and sourcing water. At the same time, weak governance mechanisms limit countries’ and communities’ ability to deal with exogenous shocks, leaving them vulnerable to each crisis that arises. It is clear that placing women at the heart of the response on environmental governance will lead to more stable outcomes.

We must give a voice to the women who, day after day, are ensuring Africa’s development through community-specific actions, and I am pleased that this workshop aims to do just that with regards to the blue economy.

Understanding women’s contribution to the blue economy, and setting up the mechanisms, networks and resources to enhance this contribution while ensuring they receive a fair return on their investment is crucial. It is also important to empower women to reach leadership positions in the blue economy. Only then will Africa prosper.

There is therefore need for deliberate policies to promote women in the entire spectrum of Blue Economy, including science, innovation, business and investments, as well as in security matters for our Marine ecosystems. I would like to request the African Union Commission to develop a programme that will do just that, so that our women and youth are emancipated.

Distinguished guests and delegates,

I look forward to the outcome of this meeting, which will have positive impact on women in our region. I assure you of my – and Nigeria’s – full support.

I wish you all fruitful deliberations. It is my honour to declare the African Union Women in Blue Economy Workshop officially opened.

Thank you.