Agenda do Evento

8:30 – 9:00 /  Registration of participants 
9:00 - 9:05 / Angola National Anthem
9:05 - 9:10 / African Union Anthem
9:10 - 9:20 / Cultural Performance 

9:25 - 9:30 / Statement from AUC - Harsen Nyambe Nyambe, Director, Directorate of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy, AUC

9:30 - 9:35 /  Statement from SADC - Mr. Fahari Gilbert Marwa, Director for Food Agriculture and Natural Resources, SADC

9:35 - 9:40 / Statement from UNDP - Ms. Denise Antonio, Resident Representative, UNDP Angola

9:40 - 9:45 / Official opening of the technical segment of the ABEW 2026 - H.E. Alvaro Cunha, Secretary of State of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Angola

Presentation of the State of Africa's Blue Economy in 2026 - Director Harsen Nyambe, Director, Directorate of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy, AUC

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10:30 - 11:10 / Panel discussion 

• Maria de Lourdes Sardinha, Executive Secretary, Benguela Current Convention Secretariat
• Georges Mba Asseko, Special Advisor of the President and Permanent Secretary of the National Sea Council, Gabon
• Alexander Shula Kefi, Project Coordinator, Profish Blue Project, SADC
• Terence Crea, Director, Department of Blue Economy, Seychelles
• Eshete Dejen, Programmes Manager, IGAD

11:10 - 11:20 / Interaction with the audience

• Madeleine Nyiratuza, Regional Technical Advisor, UNDP

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13:30 - 13:35 / Framing of the session - Moderator: Shamiso Kimbirai, Partnerships Specialist, GWPSA

13:35 - 13:50 / Digital innovations in the Blue Economy Sector in Africa - Immaculee UWIMANA, Senior Blue Economy Policy Advisor, AUC

13:50 - 14:00 / Ocean observation, data systems and the UN Ocean Decade; role of IOCAFRICA in regional coordination - Ibukun Adewumi, Head of IOC-UNESCO, Africa and SIDS

14:00 - 14:10 / Kalunga Programme Presentation - Filomena VAZ Velho, Director General of the National Institute for Fisheries and Marine Research (INIPM)

14:10 - 14:25 / Short partner interventions (3–4 speakers, ~3 minutes each) highlighting practical tools, innovations and initiatives 

• Dr. Obakeng Molelu, Science-Policy Programme Manager, WIOMSA
• Leila Guici, Senior Advocacy Manager, GSMA (virtual)
• Oocheetsing Sadasing, Acting Principal Research Scientist, Mauritian Oceanography Institute
• Lillian Diarra, OPERA Project Manager, Mercator Ocean International

14:25 - 14:30 / Interactive discussion on: Moderator + Speakers + Audience

14:30 / Summary and session close - Shamiso Kumbirai

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Financing Africa’s Blue Economy: Unlocking investments and accelerating implementation through innovative financing mechanisms    

• Juliana Castano Isaza, Natural Resources Management Specialist at the World Bank Group’s Eastern and Southern African Region
• Kevin Ninkeu Mdjatou, Country Manager of Expertise France, AFD Group
• Paul Akande, Aquaculture Development Expert, ECOWAS
• Nefertiti Mushiya Tshibanda, Permanent Representative of OIF to Ethiopia and AU
• Terence Crea, Director of Blue Economy, Seychelles  

15:50 - 16:20 / Presentation of the draft declaration - Paul Akiwumi, Consultant

16:20 - 17:20 / Delegation of inputs

17:20 - 17:45 / Consolidation

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9:00 – 9:10 / Cultural Performance 
9:10 – 9:15 / Recap of Day 1 (5min) - AU Secretariat

9:15 – 9:25 / Opening Remarks - Director Harsen Nyambe, Director, Directorate of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy, AUC

9:25 – 10:10 / Presentation of the project document & Questions and answers - Ivica Trumbic, Consultant

10:10 – 10:20 / Project appraisal - Dr Matthias Naab, Director, UNDP Regional Service Center for Africa

10:20 – 10:40 / Panel discussion focusing on Africa's progress on the domestication of multilateral Environmental Agreements and other global frameworks on Blue Economy (3min each)

• Linda Etta, Senior Policy Advisor-Blue Economy, AUC
• Dr Madeleine Nyiratuza, Regional Technical Advisor, UNDP
• Ibukun Adewumi, Head of IOC-UNESCO

10:40 – 11:00 / Overview of environmental tools dedicated to ocean knowledge and preservation (BBNJ and MPAs in the High Seas) - Maximiliano Bello, Marine Policy Specialist, Blue Marine Foundation

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11:20 – 11:25 / Framing of the discussion - Obinna Anozie, AU-IBAR

11:25 – 11:45 / Perspectives from Institutional/Country perspectives (4 minutes each) 

• Barbara Awuor, Blue Economy Committee & Executive Office, Council of Governors, Kenya
• Stella Mbabazi, Blue Economy Expert, COMESA
• Mr. Allen Ezekiel, National Focal Point, Liberia
• Dr Victor Siamudaala, Country Representative for WorldFish in Zambia
• Usman A Iftikhar - UNDP Regional Center for Africa

11:45 – 11:55 / Interactive discussion 

• Lovin Kobusingye, President of AWFISHNET
• Ms Shamim Wasii Nyanda, Community Manager, Africa, Hatch Blue, Tanzania
• Stella Mbabazi, Blue Economy Expert, COMESA
• Dr Victor Siamudaala, Country Representative for WorldFish in Zambia

11:55 – 12:00 / Summary and closing remarks - Obinna Anozie

12:00 – 12:05 / introduction to the session - Moderator: Dr Raissa Julie Ada Allogo

12:05 – 12:35 / Institutional perspectives (5 minutes each) - Speakers

• Maria de Lourdes Sardinha, Executive Secretary, Benguela Current Convention Secretariat
• Dr. Dola Oluteye, Senior Research Fellow in Energy and Transport Policy at UCL's Energy Institute 
• Oochesting Sadasing, Head of Blue Economy Unit, Mauritius
• Dr N’gandi Jean Serge, Technical Advisor, Cote d’ Ivoire
• Georges Mba Asseko, Special advisor of the President and Permanent Secretary of the National Sea Council of Gabon
• Terrence Crea, director of blue Economy Seychelles

12:35 – 12:55 / Moderated dialogue on political priorities, challenges, opportunities and partnerships

• Maria de Lourdes Sardinha, Executive Secretary, Benguela Current Convention Secretariat
• Dr. Dola Oluteye, Senior Research Fellow in Energy and Transport Policy at UCL's Energy Institute 
• Oochesting Sadasing, Head of Blue Economy Unit, Mauritius
• Dr N’gandi Jean Serge, Technical Advisor, Cote d’ Ivoire
• Georges Mba Asseko, Special advisor of the President and Permanent Secretary of the National Sea Council of Gabon
• Terrence Crea, director of blue Economy Seychelles

12:55 – 13:00 /  Summary of key recommendations and closing remarks, Dr Raissa Julie Ada Allogo

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14:00 – 14:10 / Presentation on the Theme of year - Nelson Gomonda, Director of Programme & Ag. ES, AMCOW

14:10 – 14:15 / Q/A - Audience

14:15 – 14:20 / Framing of the session - Moderator: Ms Shamim Wasii Nyanda, Community Manager, Africa - Hatch Blue

14:10 – 14:40 / Speaker introductions and opening question

• Stella Mbabazi, Blue Economy Expert, COMESA
• Sesethu Jelwana, Community Engagement Associate at OceanHub Africa)
• Thibault Eddie, MAQUA (Young entrepreneur)
• Fatima Ali, Sulha Afrika (Woman entrepreneur)
• Neferetiti Mushiya Tshibanda, Permanent Representative of OIF to Ethiopia and AU 

14:40 – 14:50 / Blue Accelerator Programme for Women and Youth in Africa - Presenter: Immaculee UWIMANA, Senior Policy Advisor-Blue Economy, AUC

14:50 – 14:55 / Synthesis and priority actions - Ms Shamim Wasii Nyanda

14:55 – 15:00 / Recognition and Awards for youth and women innovators.

• Ms Shamim Wasii Nyanda,
• Director Harsen Nyambe, Directorate of Sustainable Environment & Blue Economy (SEBE), AUC
• Dr Matthias Naab, Director, UNDP Regional Service Center for Africa (RCSA)

15:00  / Coffee

15:00 – 16:00 /  CLOSED SESSION, Consideration of the Draft Declaration - Chaired by: Director Harsen Nyambe, Directorate of Sustainable Environment & Blue Economy (SEBE), AUC

9:00 – 9:20 / Arrival and registration, Tour of the exhibition stands - Ministers, Heads of Delegation, Partners
9:00 – 9:05 / Angola National Anthem - Leads: Ministry of FMR, Angola; Master of Ceremony
9:05 – 9:10 / African Union Anthem - Leads: Ministry of FMR, Angola; Master of Ceremony
9:10 – 9:20 / Cultural Performance - Leads: Ministry of FMR, Angola; Master of Ceremony

9:20 - 9:25 / Welcome Remarks by the host - Sr. Luis Da Fonseca Nunes,  Governador da Província de Luanda

9:25 - 9:30 / Statement by Seychelles - Mr Wallance Cosgrow, Principal Minister for Fisheries, Agriculture and Blue Economy, Seychelles

9:30 - 9:35 / Statement by SADC - Ms Angele Makombo N’tumba, Deputy Executive Secretary- Regional Integration SADC

9:35 - 9:40 / Statement by UNDP - Dr Matthias Naab, Director, UNDP Regional Service Center for Africa (RCSA)

9:40 - 9:45 / Statement from Norway - Mr. Bjørnar Dahl Hotvedt, Ambassador of Norway to Angola

9:45 - 9:50 / Statement by AfCFTA - H.E Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General, AfCFTA

9:50 - 9:55 / Keynote  address Global Enviroment Facility - Claude Gascow, Acting CEO, Global Environment  Facility

9:55 - 10:00 / Keynote address by EU - Mr Kestutis Sadauskas, Deputy Director-General, Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the European Commission

10:00- 10:05 / Statement by AUC - H.E Moses Vilakati, AUC Commissioner, ARBE

10:05 – 10:10 / Statement of the Blue Economy in Angola - H.E. Carmen do Sacramento Neto dos Santos, Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Angola

10:10 – 10:20 / Official opening of the High-level segment of the ABEW 2026 - H.E. Esperança Maria Eduardo Francisco da Costa, Vice – President of the Republic of  Angola

10:20 – 10:30 / GROUP  PHOTO

Roundtable I : Ministerial policy roundtable (40 mins) - Title: From Policy commitments to implementation- strengthening cooperation, governance

• H.E. Carmen do Sacramento Neto dos Santos, Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Angola
• H.E. Carlos Feijó, Full Professor at the Faculty of Law of the Agostinho Neto University
• H.E. Miguel César Domingos Bembe, , Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Angola to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
• Mr. Assoumany Gouromenan, Directeur de Cabinet du Ministre des ressources animales et Halieutique, Côte d'Ivoire
• Aimé Martial Massamba, Ministre de la pêche, de la Mer et de l'économie bleue, Gabon
• Mr Kestutis Sadauskas, Deputy Director-General, Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the European Commission
• Dr Matthias Naab, Director, UNDP Regional Service Center for Africa

Roundtable II: Executive investment & partnerships roundtable (40 mins) - Title: Mobilizing investment, finance and partnerships for Africa’s blue economy transformation

• H.E. Ricardo Daniel Sandão D´Abreu, Minister of Transport
• Dr. Arlindo das Chagas Rangel, Chairman of the Board AIPEX
• HE Lamine Yahiaoui, Ambassador to AU and Ethiopia, Saharawi
• Mr Kestutis Sadauskas, Deputy Director-General, Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the European Commission
• Dr. Hon. Boolell, G.O.S.K, Minister of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and fisheries, Mauritius 
• H.E. Abdel MS Hassan, Minister of Marine Resources of the State of Libya

Private sector growth, jobs and economic opportunity as well as Inclusive political leadership for transformation

Building inclusive business models that promote social inclusion and sustainable economic growth.

• Mr Wallance Cosgrow, Principal Minister for Fisheries, Agriculture and Blue Economy, Seychelles
• H.E. Rui Miguêns de Oliveira, Minister of Industry and Commerce, Angola
• H.E. Márcio Daniel, Minister of Tourism, Angola
• H.E Moses Vilakati, Commissioner, ARBE, AUC
• H.E. Ana Paula do Sacramento Neto, Minister for Social Affairs, Family and the Advancement of Women
• Mr Kestutis Sadauskas, Deputy Director-General, Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the European Commission
• Mr. Kouadio Parfait, Directeur de Cabinet, Ministre de l’environnement et transition écologique, Côte d’Ivoire

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15:30 - 15:40 / COMESA-AUC-UNDP - Speaker: Stella Mbabazi

15:40 - 15:50 /  H.E. Prof. Miguel César Domingos Bembe, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Angola to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

• Dr Matthias Naab, Director, UNDP Regional Service Center for Africa
• Mr Wallance Cosgrow, Principal Minister for Fisheries, Agriculture and Blue Economy, Seychelles
• H.E Moses Vilakati, Commissioner, ARBE, AUC
• H.E. Carmen Santos, Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Angola

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8:00 – 9:00 / Joint assembly of delegations and departure for the field visit programme - Lead institutions: MINPERMAR - Participants: All delegations

9:00 – 11:00 / Technical Visit to the Port of Luanda - Lead institution: MINTRANS/MINPERMAR - Participants: Technical delegations

11:00 – 11:30 / Transfer to CEFOPESCAS

11:00 – 13:00 / Visit to CEFOPESCAS. Fisheries and Aquaculture Training Centre: presentation of technical and vocational capacity-building initiatives for the fisheries and aquaculture sector - Lead institution: MINPERMAR - Participants: Technical delegations

13:00 – 13:30 / Interpretive stop and official group photograph

15:00 / Logistical closure and return of delegations to hotels and departure points

8:00 – 9:00 / Joint assembly of delegations and departure for the field visit programme - Participants: Business Delegations

9:00 – 11:00 / Visit to FILDA 2026 – Luanda International Trade Fair: business, partnership, and investment opportunities in the Blue Economy sector - Lead institutions: MINPERMAR · ARENA - Participants: Business Delegations

11:00 – 11:30 / Break and transfer between exhibition pavilions.

11:00 – 13:00 / Continuation of the FILDA visit - thematic exhibition areas and B2B networking sessions - Lead institutions: MINPERMAR · ARENA - Participants: Business Delegations

13:00 – 13:30 / Official institutional stop and commemorative photograph - Lead institutions: MINPERMAR · Ministry of Tourism - Participants: Delegations

15:00 / Logistical closure and return of delegations to hotels and departure points.