Positioning Africa’s blue economy for climate adaptation and inclusive growth

This side event explores pathways to advance Africa’s climate action agenda by developing sustainable blue economies.

Date: 2025-09-10

Time: 12:30 to 13:30

Venue: Addis International Convention Center, Room T2

Africa’s blue economy presents transformative opportunities for climate adaptation through renewable ocean energy, blue carbon initiatives like mangrove restoration, and sustainable maritime infrastructure. Realising this vision requires innovative financing, integrated ocean governance and regional cooperation.

With the African Continental Free Trade Area requiring well-functioning maritime infrastructure, this high-level technical meeting will explore aligning trade with climate action through nature-positive shipping and green port development. Experts will also chart pathways for positioning Africa as a proactive, climate-smart global leader in the blue economy through strategic governance and international partnerships.

This event is co-hosted by the African Union Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE) and the Institute for Security Studies (ISS). Registration for the Africa Climate Summit 2 is required to attend this side event.

Moderator: David Willima, Researcher, ISS

Opening remarks: HE Moses Vilakati, Commissioner for ARBE, African Union Commission

Panelists:

Ambassador Nancy Karigithu, Special Envoy & Advisor, Maritime and Blue Economy, Executive Office of the President, Kenya
Nonkuleko Masoek, Lead Coordinator, State Resilience and Disaster Risk Reduction, APRM
Dr Richard Muyungi, Chair of the African Group of Negotiators (Climate) and Special Envoy and Advisor to the President of the United Republic of Tanzania
Hon Dr Dion George, MP, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, South Africa
Hon Mike Mposha, MP, Minister, Green Economy and Environment, Zambia

Summary and next steps: Harsen Nyambe, Director, Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy, ARBE

Closing remarks: Dhesigen Naidoo, Senior Research Associate, Climate Risk and Human Security Project, ISS