Deputy minister of marine resources Silvia Makgone said it is incumbent for Namibia to develop and adopt appropriate policies, strategies and mechanisms to safeguard the blue economy in order to create opportunities and jobs for Namibians. She made this remark yesterday during a stakeholders’ workshop for the blue economy organised by the African Union Commission. At the event, Makgone noted that actions taken at the workshop can safeguard the ocean’s capacity to regenerate in order to deliver a substantial economic environment, social value and can offer powerful solutions to global challenges.
“We must tackle threats of pollution, illegal and unregulated fishing, ocean warming, and overfishing that will threaten the wellbeing of humanity and exacerbate inequalities,” said Makgone.
She further stated that Namibia in its National Development Plan, aims for the country to implement a blue economy governance framework by 2022.
“To this end, the country has developed the sustainable blue economy policy and is currently at the stage of stakeholder consultations. Our Harambee Prosperity Plan II aims to fast track the development of the central securities depository, blue bonds, carbon credits and other innovative tools to fund the matching opportunities in Namibia,” she explained.
Makgone noted that oceans, seas and lakes support livelihoods, food security and nutrition, employment, and 90% of the world trade is transported at sea.
At the same occasion, Norwegian ambassador Bard Hopland, said according to the Africa Blue Economy Strategy, the value of the ocean economy could grow by 37% by 2030 and double by 2063, but cautioned that a prerequisite for such growth is that the ocean, seas, rivers and lakes are managed sustainably.
“Governments alone cannot achieve a sustainable blue economy. Society as a whole, including women and youth, must play its part. Civil society and industry are often ahead of the curve when it comes to innovative solutions,” said Hopland.