Mahe, Seychelles, 23 April 2018 – Early this morning, at the margins of the African Shipowners Association (ASA) Summit 2018 currently underway in the Republic of Seychelles from 23 to 25 April 2018, H.E Albert M. Muchanga, AU Commissioner for Trade and Industry heading the AU Delegation on behalf of H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the AU Commission, started his various bilateral meetings with Dr. Juvenal Shiundu, Acting Director, International Maritime Organization (IMO).

The main objective of the meeting was to revitalise the MOU signed between both institutions since 2008. “It is time to start afresh our MOU taking into account Agenda 2063 the 50 year development framework of the continent, encompassing Africa Bleu Economy as the new frontier but also the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) signed by 44 AU Members States in Kigali last month”.

‘IMO has also made key steps in the blue economy and is looking toward the achievement of the AU Agenda 2063. So we welcomes the idea of updating the MOU between both institutions. We appreciate the collaboration so far, but a lot more could be done’ said the Representative of IMO.

Mrs Funmi Folorunso, Secretary General of ASA expressed her gratitude to both Representatives for participating in the ASA Summit 2018 and she was pleased that ASA facilitates this important bilateral meeting being held at the margins of the Shipowners Summit. On behalf of the Maritime sector she added “It is important that ASA Summit 2018 gives an opportunity to fill the gap between the various actors of Maritime sectors in the Continent. It is a positive start indeed”.

Furthermore, Heads of Delegation talked about major conferences which are lined up, such as the celebration of Africa Day Seas and Oceans on the 25th July 2018 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and the IMO Technical Cooperation Committee from 18-20th June 2018 in London. Finally they spoke about the IMO Maritime Ambassadors to be appointed by each African Union Members States, and the collaboration of the AU in achieving the designation of AU Members States Maritime Ambassador is key.

Amb Muchanga and Mr. Shiundu concluded the meeting by undertaking to strengthen the MOU signed between both institutions, and revive areas of technical cooperation.

The meeting was also attended Mr Babajide Sodipo, Regional Trade Advisor and Brian Mureveri, Focal Point for Bleu Economy in the Department of Trade and Industry.

For further information, please contact:
Mr Brian Mureverwi, Policy Officer and Focal point of Bleu economy, Department of Trade and Industry | Email: MureverwiB@africa-union.org
Mr Patient Atcho, Communication Officer, Department of Trade and Industry | AtchoP@africa-union.org
Mrs Christiane Yanrou-Matondo, Principal Communication Officer, Bureau of the Chairperson | E-mail: Yanrouc@africa-union.org;
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
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