Côte d’Ivoire accelerates sustainable blue economy with FAO-backed strategy

Grand-Bassam, Côte d’Ivoire — A pivotal two-day workshop kicked off in Grand-Bassam on Thursday, July 30, 2026, to validate reports from four thematic clusters focused on the nation’s blue economy. Organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the gathering aims to align these findings with the country’s sustainable development priorities while uncovering partnership opportunities to propel the sector forward.

Dedi Séraphin, FAO Côte d’Ivoire’s Programme Officer, emphasized that the UN agency has been a long-standing partner of the Ivorian government, supporting the formulation of policies and strategies that bolster food security, sustainable resource management, and—through a dedicated project—the sustainable development of aquatic, fisheries, and coastal resources. He highlighted how these thematic reports serve as strategic tools to guide public policies and investments in the blue economy, ensuring they reflect ground realities and national priorities.

Partnerships and policy alignment take center stage

During the workshop, participants are tasked with identifying tangible public-private partnership opportunities and critically assessing the reports to craft actionable, time-bound recommendations with clear accountability. Séraphin reiterated FAO’s commitment to supporting Côte d’Ivoire in implementing these recommendations, leveraging its technical expertise and fostering dialogue among public, private, and technical partners to transform strategies into tangible results.

The ultimate goal is to embed these recommendations into priority actions with realistic timelines and tailored financing mechanisms, ensuring the blue economy becomes a sustainable driver for food security, job creation, and resilience across the nation.

Government reaffirms commitment to a sustainable blue economy

Dr. Kaba Ibrahima, Technical Advisor to the Minister of Animal and Fisheries Resources, underscored the government’s dedication to implementing the workshop’s outcomes. He stressed that these efforts are geared toward fostering a sustainable blue economy to enhance food sovereignty, youth employment, and economic growth. Dr. Ibrahima also expressed gratitude to FAO for its unwavering support, praising its technical and methodological contributions and its commitment to advancing national priorities.

Diverse stakeholders converge for actionable outcomes

The workshop brings together key players in Côte d’Ivoire’s blue economy, including experts, researchers, sectoral ministry representatives, private sector actors, technical and financial partners, and civil society organizations. The event concludes on Friday, July 31, 2026, with the aim of delivering a cohesive roadmap for the sustainable development of the blue economy in the country.