- Ocean Governance & Blue Economy
UNOC3: Africa-Mediterranean-Europe Cooperation (AMEC) Meeting and Launch of Foresight Paper on the Future of the Africa-Europe Ocean Partnership
- The Africa-Europe Foundation
On June 11, the Africa-Europe Foundation (AEF) co-hosted with partners an Africa-Mediterranean-Europe High-Level policymakers meeting (AMEC), built upon the momentum established at the second ‘Blue Africa Summit’ held in Tangier in October 2024, and anchored by the ‘Roadmap Towards 2030: Co-driving the Africa-Europe Ocean Partnership’, a product of the Africa-Europe Strategy Group on Ocean Governance.
The meeting presented the ‘Pact for a Sustainable Blue Africa’, marking a major milestone to strengthen the tripartite cooperation between Africa, the Mediterranean and Europe. It reaffirmed the essential role of North to South and South-South cooperation, strategic blue investments, and the need to consolidate alliances to advance a healthy, productive and equitable ocean.
Participants recognised the complex challenges facing marine ecosystems, from overexploitation and unsustainable trade practices to localized pressures and the escalating consequences of climate change. As we approach the third edition of the Blue Africa Summit in October (9-10) and the first-ever Ocean COP (on the back of BBNJ entry into force by UNGA), there is an urgent keep positioning Africa at the forefront of ocean action. This includes accelerating efforts in research, innovation, and development to expand ocean literacy and data access, an area where Africa still faces significant gaps.
The meeting heard the importance of knowledge-sharing and collaborative action – two areas which cannot be overstated. The world needs a new model of ocean leadership—regenerative, inclusive, and forward-looking. Within this context, AMEC is uniquely positioned to catalyze such transformative leadership. More than geographic proximity, the connection between Africa and Europe—bridged by the Mediterranean—is both symbolic and strategic. This cooperation must now focus on responsible stewardship of shared ecosystems to ensure their sustainability for the communities that rely on them.
As the international community approaches a series of critical milestones—including the 2nd Africa Climate Summit, the inaugural Africa Biodiversity Summit, the Blue Africa Summit, COP30, and the 7th EU-AU Heads of State Summit, AMEC stands as a vital enabler. The call to action is clear: deepen cooperation, strengthen regional and cross-continental partnerships, and deliver measurable, impactful outcomes.
Key Takeaways:
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Advancing Coherent Ocean Governance through Capacity and Integration
Africa’s ocean economy holds immense potential but is constrained by fragmented governance across sectors like fisheries, transport, tourism, and energy. This results in inefficiencies, duplication, and competition for marine resources. The African Union (AU), in collaboration with partners, is promoting integrated policy frameworks—such as marine spatial planning and ecosystem-based management—underpinned by science-based decision-making and strengthened institutional capacities.
Food security remains a critical issue. Overfishing and food loss, as seen in Morocco and Madagascar, call for inclusive governance models that break down sectoral silos. Effective fisheries management must coordinate across ministries to ensure equitable decision-making, preventing dominance by economically driven sectors over environmental and community needs. Equitable, integrated governance is essential to align sustainability with socio-economic goals for coastal communities.
Closing Institutional and Technical Gaps
Many African nations still lack key enablers for effective ocean governance: reliable data, strong legal frameworks, enforcement mechanisms, sustainable financing, and national ownership of marine information. Without these, countries are limited in their ability to manage ocean resources effectively.
To address this, initiatives like the African Ocean Index and regional ocean forecasting systems can help build Africa’s scientific and technological independence. The Pact for a Sustainable Blue Africa offers a platform to mobilise both public and private investment to close these gaps. Addressing illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing is particularly urgent. Through partnerships with Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the AU is working to strengthen legal reforms, enforcement systems, and data infrastructures.
Elevating Science as a Strategic Pillar
Africa’s ocean governance is undermined by significant deficits in ocean science and observation infrastructure—especially when compared to Europe. This imbalance limits evidence-based policymaking and sustainable management. The Africa-Europe Ocean Strategy Group has rightly identified science as foundational to governance.
Bridging the science gap requires investment in advanced observation tools, regional laboratories, and the next generation of African researchers and ocean professionals. A strong scientific base is key to building collaborative, transregional research communities equipped to address the environmental and socio-economic challenges spanning Africa and Europe.
Regional Governance and Inclusive Policymaking
Regional collaboration, capacity-building, and inclusive science-policy interfaces are essential. This includes involving not only scientists and policymakers, but also indigenous peoples, fishers, and local communities—who are the “guardians of the blue.” As the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development (2026–2035) nears finalization, it signals the urgency of macro-regional action to address climate and financial risks.
Despite the presence of regional institutions such as the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), institutional fragmentation remains a barrier. A shared vision is needed—one that positions the Mediterranean as a living laboratory for Africa-Europe innovation and sustainability.
Fostering Transboundary and Cross-Sectoral Collaboration
Regenerative and inclusive ocean governance depends on strong transboundary cooperation and cross-sectoral collaboration. Governments must engage with private actors, scientific institutions, and local communities—key connectors that translate policy into local action.
An interdisciplinary approach, integrating traditional knowledge and linking sectors like fisheries, desalination, and tourism, is vital for building equitable blue economies. Given Africa’s diverse governance and investment landscapes, this context-sensitive approach is essential. Digital tools and inclusive platforms must enable wide participation, while regional cooperation with Mediterranean and European partners is key to shaping joint roadmaps. The Pact for a Sustainable Blue Africa should now focus on implementation, ensuring the engagement of women and youth as central actors in the blue economy.
Scaling Sustainable Seascape Initiatives
Initiatives like the Great Blue Wall exemplify how coastal development can be anchored in sustainability. By protecting and restoring vulnerable ecosystems—mangroves, coral reefs, seagrasses—the initiative strengthens both ecological resilience and community livelihoods. It provides a scalable model for other African and Mediterranean regions.
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) also play a vital role—not only in conservation, but as hubs for training, peer learning, and regional cooperation. These platforms are central to operationalizing the EU-Africa Ocean Roadmap.
Innovative financing is another critical enabler. Tools such as blue carbon markets, debt swaps, and inclusive business models can help attract investment and accelerate the transition to a resilient, equitable blue economy.
Empowering Youth as Ocean Leaders
Youth must be seen not only as beneficiaries but as key drivers of the blue economy. In many coastal African nations, youth comprise up to 96% of the workforce, yet only 25% have formal employment. Closing this gap requires focused investments in blue education, skills, and entrepreneurship.
Seychelles offers a compelling case: over $750,000 invested in youth initiatives has led to 28 blue economy internships, 70+ marine enterprises, and over 40 community conservation projects. These results show that when youth are empowered, they deliver innovation and impact. Scaling such initiatives across Africa, the Mediterranean, and Europe can drive a regional movement for sustainable ocean development.
Long-term Planning and Foresight
AEF’s engagements at UNOC3 featured the launch of AEF’s Foresight Paper, The Future of the Africa-Europe Ocean Partnership: Trends and Policy Choices for Enhanced Cooperation. This unique resource explores current and emerging trends to inform the future of Africa-Europe collaboration on ocean and blue economy issues. Targeted at decision-makers and stakeholders at UNOC3, the paper positions the ocean as a strategic pillar of the Africa-Europe partnership, essential for building a shared prosperous, sustainable, and resilient future. It also advocates for a more cohesive and forward-looking AU-EU approach to common ocean priorities, particularly in the lead-up to the 7th AU-EU Summit and the EU’s Ocean Pact.
- Download the Outcome Note: High-Level Africa-Mediterranean-Europe Cooperation (AMEC) Policymakers Meeting here.