The Government of Liberia (GOL) is hosting the final validation and national broad-based stakeholders’ consultation workshop on the draft national Blue Economy Strategy (NBES) in Monrovia. The three-day event is being held with support from the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) through funding provided by the Kingdom of Norway.
The validation workshop follows a National Stakeholders Consultative Workshop held in September 2024.
In remarks, the Deputy Commissioner for Vessel Registration of the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA), John F. Harvey, said the strategy is a culmination of extensive consultations, expert advice, and the contributions of all stakeholders; thus representing the collective vision and aspiration of all key actors in the public and private sectors.
“This strategy represents the collective vision and aspirations of all of us gathered here today—government, private sector, civil society, academia, and the international community including our distinguished colleagues from AU-IBAR. Your input has been vital in shaping this document, and today marks the final opportunity to ensure that this strategy is both robust and inclusive,” Deputy Commissioner Harvey emphasized.
He emphasized that stakeholders consider the long-term sustainability of the strategy principally because it holds a critical importance that would ensure that future generations inherit vibrant and resilient marine ecosystems.
“Sustainable practices in fisheries, conservation, and coastal development are critical in safeguarding our marine resources for years to come,” he said.
The Blue Economy presents a unique opportunity to drive economic growth while reducing poverty. We must explore innovative solutions that promote job creation, value-added industries, and the equitable distribution of wealth, especially for coastal communities that depend on the ocean for their livelihoods,” he added.
Giving the stature of the blue economy to socioeconomic development, Deputy Commissioner Harvey indicated that deliberate efforts should be made to ensure that everyone is included in every aspect of the formulation of the strategy. He mentioned that the voices of marginalized communities, women, and youth must be highlighted and that they benefit from the opportunities this sector offers. This is not just about economic gain; it is about social and environmental equity.
In addition to other benefits, the Deputy Maritime boss said he believes that the blue economy also offers exciting prospects for technological innovation — from sustainable shipping technologies to marine renewable energy solutions. “We must foster innovation and invest in research and development to harness these opportunities,” he encouraged the stakeholders.
“The final validation of this strategy marks a critical milestone in our shared journey towards realizing the full potential of the Blue Economy. But it is only the beginning. Implementation will require commitment, accountability, and continued collaboration across all sectors in this conference hall and beyond.
As we go through these three-day discussions, let us be mindful of the bigger picture — a future where Liberia’s ocean continues to thrive, supporting diverse ecosystems and resilient economies. Let us reaffirm our collective commitment to making this strategy not just a document on paper, but a living, evolving framework that guides our actions for years to come,” Deputy Commissioner Harvey pointed out.
For his part, the Director of AU-IBAR, Dr. Huyam Salih said the desire to support the formulation and final validation of national blue economy strategies across Africa is derived from the cognizance that the Blue Economy is a potential game changer for Africa’s sustainable socio-economic development. “The African Union Ministers at the 3rd session of the Specialized Technical Committee (STC) in October 2019 recognized this potential. “They, therefore, charged the African Union to support awareness enhancement, capacity building on the concept of the Blue Economy, and formulation of Blue Economy Strategies at national and regional levels of the continent. Consequently, AU-IBAR, with support from the Kingdom of Norway, embarked on the process of actualizing the recommendations of the Ministers. AU-IBAR conducted awareness-enhancing workshops at regional and continental levels on Blue Economy concepts and marine spanning as a tool for sustainable Blue Economy development.
AU-IBAR has so far provided technical assistance to five RECs and 14 selected AU MS,” the AU-IBAR Director said in a statement delivered on her behalf at the opening of the three-day validation workshop.
“It is pertinent to note that this support for the development of National and Regional Blue Economy Strategies is an ongoing exercise systematically; thus, eventually it is anticipated that all AU Member States and RECs that are in need would receive this support from AU-IBAR within the framework supporting the implementation of Africa Blue Economy Strategy.
Consequently, the overall objective of the workshop is to solicit the views and inputs from expanded stakeholders towards enriching and finalizing the development of the National Blue Economy Strategy for Liberia to ensure ownership and secure buy-in by all key relevant stakeholders for effective implementation.
Speaking in proxy of Dr. Salih, Obinna Anozie said the workshop specifically provides a valuable platform for sensitizing a broad range of stakeholders on the provisions of the draft National Blue Economy Strategy of Liberia; soliciting Broad-based stakeholders’ final consolidated Inputs and Comments from wider Perspectives and Ownership; stimulating buy-in from High-Level Policy/Lawmakers and Government Officials; validation of broad-based consensus final National Blue Economy Strategy of Liberia; and, formulation of a roadmap for National Blue Economy Development including resource Mobilization agenda.
The AU-IBAR official said, “I have no doubt that this exercise will ignite uptake and ownership of the National Blue Economy Strategy and its components by stakeholders; considering that AU-IBAR’s support to the Republic of Liberia is demand-driven.”
The workshop brings together a wide range of stakeholders, including technical experts from the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA), National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC), Ministry of National Defense (MOD), universities, civil society, the private sector, and other key agencies. Participants will validate the draft strategy, which focuses on sustainability, economic growth, inclusivity, innovation, and international cooperation.
Over the next three days, stakeholders will refine the strategy’s goals, vision, and implementation roadmap, addressing critical areas like resource mobilization, capacity-building, and institutional coordination, to integrate the strategy into Liberia’s broader national development agenda.
With its abundant aquatic resources, Liberia’s move toward a comprehensive Blue Economy strategy signals a bold step in harnessing its potential for economic resilience and environmental stewardship. The finalized blueprint is set to enhance livelihoods, foster technological innovation, and promote sustainable resource use, marking a new chapter in the nation’s development trajectory.