Engaging the African Union Commission on Ocean Acidification at Africa’s Blue Economy Summit
The OA Alliance has been engaging the African Union Commission (AUC) on ocean acidification, increasing awareness and collaboration with ocean acidification science practitioners in the Western Indian Ocean.
While the full socio-economic impacts of ocean acidification across Africa are not yet fully understood, existing studies across different scales and regions suggest a concerning economic outlook. This is especially critical given the increasing demand for aquatic food on a global scale compared to previous decades. It also presents a major risk to national and regional developmental goals as captured in key frameworks including the African Union Agenda 2063, UN SDG 2030 Agenda. Africa Blue Economy Strategy and respective national development climate, marine and blue economy plans.
That’s why the OA Alliance teamed up with the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) and Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI), to host a discussion during the Ocean Innovation Africa/ Regenerative Ocean Week Summit which occurred in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania between February 24-28, 2025.
The meeting “Designing a Regional Ocean Acidification Program to Support Climate, Marine and Blue Economy Goals in the Western Indian Ocean: A Model for the Continent,” brought together several regional entities to:
Learn about the ocean acidification work being led by WIOMSA and place it in policy context for achieving climate mitigation, adaptation, blue economy and food security goals.
Review the draft Ocean Acidification Action Plan being purposed under the Nairobi Convention which will support Convention mandates and outcomes.
Dr. Georges Mba Asseko, Director of Blue Economy at the African Union Commission and Director Arthur Tuda of WIOMSA discussed next steps for finding synergies and connecting the Ocean Acidification Action Plan across relevant AUC policies including the Dashboard for Blue Economy, the Blue Economy Reference Group and the and 2063 Blue Economy Plan for Africa.
The Ocean Acidification Action Plan under the Nairobi Convention will be updated to reflect these discussions and is available here.
