Banjul, 20th February 2025: His Excellency Mohammed B.S. Jallow, Vice President of The Gambia, yesterday, February 19th officially opened the 4th International Blue Economy Conference (IBEC) at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in Bijilo.
The 3-day high-level event is being organized by the Gambian Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure, in collaboration with the Regional Maritime University (RMU) and Daru Salam Maritime Institute (DMI). The forum is being attended by ministers responsible for Maritime in West and Central Africa (MOWCA) and Regional Maritime University (RMU) Member States, and the Secretary Generals of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Maritime Organization for West and Central Africa as well as other affiliated bodies of the IMO as Special Guests of Honour.
The event has brought together various stakeholders from across Africa to chart a course toward a sustainable and prosperous future for the continent’s oceans and waterways. It aims to discuss the sustainability of marine resources as well as explore ways to mitigate the impact of human activities on marine life and the environment.
In his remarks, Vice President Jallow emphasised the unique significance of the Blue Economy, highlighting its potential to drive economic growth, improve livelihoods, and create jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems. He stressed the need for approaches that balance economic prosperity with environmental sustainability to ensure vibrant and resilient marine environments for future generations.
“This requires investing in research and development to drive breakthroughs in sustainable fishing, ocean energy, marine biotechnology, and aquaculture,” Jallow stated. “We must also deploy technology to monitor and protect our marine resources, ensuring that every sector operates responsibly within our oceans,” he added.
The conference serves as a platform for policymakers, researchers, and leaders to collaborate on innovative strategies that harness the ocean’s potential while safeguarding its ecosystems. It underscores the commitment of The Gambia and other participating nations to fostering a sustainable Blue Economy that benefits both people and the planet.
In his remarks, the Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure, Ebrima Sillah calls for collective action to protect marine resources, saying marine resources are faced with threats ranging from piracy and illegal fishing to the impacts of dumping toxic waste in our waters.
“I urge all of us here: the policy makers, the academia and other critical stakeholders to surmount the shores of possibility to build the Africa Blue Economy Alliance and to say that yes: we are ready for this and yes we can do it,” he stated.
By Abdou Mbye
