LiMA Kicks-off National Blue Economy Strategy Stakeholders Consultative Workshop

By Marie Willie

 The Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) has launched a three-day National Stakeholders Consultative Workshop in Monrovia, aimed at formulating the country’s National Blue Economy Strategy.

The workshop, which begun on Tuesday, September 24  to Thursday, September 26, 2024, was organized by the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) with funding from Norway.

According to a release from LiMA dated September 24, 2024, the event convened a diversed group of stakeholders, including technical experts from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Port Authority (NPA), Conservation International, and the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL).

The release added that representatives from various ministries including Gender, Children and Social Protection, Youth and Sports, Information, Culture Affairs and Tourism, Mines and Energy, Agriculture, Transport—as well as academic institutions like the University of Liberia and the Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission also participated.

In his welcome remarks, Mr. Georges MBA Asseko, Head of the Blue Economy Division at the African Union Commission, stressed the importance of developing Liberia's strategy to transform its freshwater and maritime resources into sustainable economic drivers. He highlighted that this initiative aims to foster job creation and promote environmental stewardship across sectors such as fisheries and tourism.

Mr. Asseko underscored the need for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to ensure that the strategy reflects diverse perspectives and addresses local needs. He noted that establishing a National Blue Economy Strategy is vital for achieving economic resilience and sustainability in Liberia, aligning with broader African Union goals for socio-economic transformation.

The release noted that the workshop was officially opened by John F. Harvey, Deputy Commissioner for Vessel Registration and Safety, who conveyed greetings from Commissioner/CEO, Neto Zarzar Lighe, Sr.

He expressed gratitude to AU-IBAR and the Norwegian Government for their support, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive strategy to harness Liberia's maritime resources for sustainable growth.

Commissioner Harvey pointed out Liberia's extensive Atlantic coastline and its potential to drive sustainable development through the blue economy, as he called for collaboration among stakeholders to create a strategy that balances economic opportunities with ocean ecosystem conservation.

The Blue Economy encompasses economic activities related to oceans and seas, representing a global market valued at over $1.5 trillion annually. This sector is crucial not only for economic growth but also for providing employment to more than 30 million people worldwide.

This initiative is part of LiMA’s broader efforts to enhance sustainable management of marine resources in Liberia, in line with international commitments to ocean governance and environmental protection. The outcomes are expected to play a significant role in establishing a framework that promotes sustainable practices and fosters economic opportunities within the maritime sector.