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H.E. Hassan Ali Joho, Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs of Kenya,
H.E. Prof, Jean Maharavo, Minister for Blue Economy and Fisheries of Madagascar,
H.E. Marie May Jeremie, Minister of Environment, Climate, Energy and Natural Resources of Seychelles,
H.E. Ahmed Omar, Minister of State, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of the Federal Republic of Somalia,
Excellencies,
Africas Blue Economy can undoubtedly drive economic and sustainable development on this great continent. In 2018, Africas Blue Economy generated an estimated US$300 billion and supported 49 million jobs. By 2030, the estimated value will be US$405 billion. By 2050, over $1.5 trillion.
Such a vibrant Blue Economy will deliver increased food security, livelihoods, biodiversity and resilience to climate change. But only if the health and productivity of coastal and marine areas can be boosted.
This health is under threat. From unsustainable fishing. Unsustainable infrastructure development. Pollution. Inadequate management of natural habitats. In some cases, weak governance, particularly in regions suffering from fragility and conflict. And, of course, climate change amplifies these risks.
Excellencies,
This means that Blue Economy development cannot follow business-as-usual pathways that degrade nature and entrench inequality.
Transitioning to a sustainable, equitable and resilient blue economy is central to delivering global commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and other Multilateral Environmental Agreements.
To reach the full potential of Africas Blue Economy, regions, countries and national ministries need to work in an integrated manner to protect coastal and marine areas. Strong governance, strong financing and strong cooperation will be essential and it is encouraging that the Mombasa Ministerial Communiqu that will emerge from this meeting focuses on these areas.
Excellencies,
Ocean governance does not start at the coastline. It begins inland, which is the source of many pollutants such as plastic waste, wastewater and agricultural run-off.
So, effective ocean governance requires integrated action across the environment, agriculture, mining, transport, urban planning and finance sectors. Source-to-sea approaches provide a practical framework for addressing pollution at its origin.
Working closely with the UNEP Regional Seas Programme, the three partnerships of the Global Programme for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities create collaborative action to address pollution from land.
Excellencies,
Finance will be essential to a vibrant Blue Economy, but across the globe, financial flows reward environmental destruction rather than restoration.
UNEPs State of Finance for Nature 2026 showed that for every US$1 invested in protecting nature, US$30 is spent on activities that harm nature.
UNEP is working hard to flip this script. For example, with the UNEP-hosted Nairobi Convention and local partners, we support the expansion of the community-led Mikoko Pamoja blue carbon project in Kenya, which will bring in financial resources for mangrove conservation and restoration, and community development.
But so much more is needed. We need mechanisms that strengthen the pipeline of investment-ready blue economy projects and facilitate access to finance. Public subsidies and private investment must be redirected toward nature-positive blue economy solutions.
UNEP is of course deeply committed to mobilizing large-scale financial resources to unlock a sustainable blue economy. Our integrated sustainable blue economy and coastal resilience building portfolio is worth US$216 million, globally, of which over half US$114 million is in Africa. For example, in the Western Indian Ocean, we are proud that the Global Fund for Coral Reefs is supporting Kenya, Tanzania and Seychelles through sustainable finance mechanisms and financing facilities that support reef-positive solutions.
Excellencies,
The BBNJ agreement also creates an opportunity for African leadership as the world seeks to protect the high seas.
Only just over one per cent of the ocean beyond national jurisdiction is protected. The BBNJ will be essential to ensure that these ecosystems, which connect with national jurisdictions and coastal communities, function well into the future.
The African Group of Negotiators played a strong role in the BBNJ. They secured core provisions on benefit-sharing from marine genetic resources, capacity building and marine technology transfer.
Ninety countries have ratified the Agreement, including 19 African countries. Ahead of the first COP meeting in early 2027, now is the time for nations that have not yet done so to ratify, help shape the Clearing-House Mechanism, and prepare for early implementation through integrating the Agreement into national legal and institutional frameworks.
But let us be clear: African countries have been managing marine biodiversity within their jurisdiction for decades.
The Nairobi Convention reinforces this. Through this framework, countries already know how to develop and manage Marine Protected Areas strengthening ecological connectivity across marine ecosystems and other area-based management tools, and laying the groundwork for future high seas conservation proposals and implementation of the Conventions BBNJ roadmap.
The BBNJ Agreement therefore offers more than a new international framework. It provides a very real opportunity for Africa to bring this experience, expertise and leadership to the global effort to protect and sustainably use marine biodiversity.
Excellencies,
I look forward to the Communiqu as a roadmap for Africas Blue Frontier as a step forward in scaling investment in sustainable blue economy solutions. And as a boost to efforts to ensure that ocean governance delivers tangible benefits for people, nature and future generations.
