© 2019 AU-IBAR. Group Photo - Bureau Meeting and Training Workshop on Enhancing Awareness and Capacity of Women for Small-Medium Enterprises Development in Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector.12^th - 13^th September 2019.

Introduction

The Bureau Meeting and Training workshop on “Enhancing Awareness and Capacity of Women for Small-Medium Enterprises Development in Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector” of the African Women Fish Processors and Traders Network (AWFISHNET) was organised by the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire.

The meeting was held from the 12^th to 13^th September 2019 at Hôtel Belle Côte Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

The main objective of the meeting was to provide a platform for bureau members and selected experts for sharing and documentation of best practices in fish processing technology and identification of opportunities for enhancing women Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the fisheries and aquaculture sector.

The specific objectives were to:

1. Establish the status of formation of National networks for women fish processors and traders
2. Enhance knowledge amongst AWFISHNET members on the best practices for fish processing technologies, trade and market development
3. Exchange information on lessons and best practices in fish processing technologies, trade and marketing
4. Compile challenges and opportunities affecting SMEs development for women in fish processing and trade in Africa and develop a capacity empowerment program
5. Develop an AWFISHNET’s capacity empowerment program that responds to the needs of the members.

Participation

The meeting was attended by 27 participants comprising of twelve (12) AWFISHNET Bureau member countries as follows: Algeria, Cameroun, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Cote D’Ivoire, Kenya, Madagascar, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda and Zambia; regional fisheries institutions: Fisheries Commission of the West Gulf of Guinea (FCWC), Regional Partnership for Coastal and Marine Conservation (PRCM); selected experts and Resource Persons, Facilitator, and AU-IBAR staff.

The selected rapporteurs for this meeting were Ms Hellen Moepi (South Africa), Mr Barthelemy Batieno (PRCM, Senegal) and Mrs Editrudith Lukanga (Secretary General of AWFISHNET).

Opening Session

Dr. SHEP Helguilè, the Director of Aquaculture and Fisheries in the Ministry of Animal and Fisheries Resources in the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire facilitated the opening session.

© 2019 AU-IBAR. Group Photo - Stakeholders’ Consultative Workshop on Formulation of African Blue Economy Strategy.30^th – 31^st August 2019 AU-IBAR, Nairobi, KENYA.

Introduction

The Stakeholders’ Consultative Workshop on Formulation of African Blue Economy Strategy was held from 30^th-31^st August 2019, at the offices of the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), in Nairobi Kenya. The meeting was organized by AU-IBAR in collaboration with the Government of Kenya. Funding support for the event was generously provided by the European Union (EU) and the African Union member states.

Objective of the Workshop

The overall objective of the workshop was to critically review and improve a Draft Blue Economy Strategy for Africa developed by a team of consultants at the request of AU-IBAR.

Delegates

Workshop participants were drawn from a diverse and representative set of stakeholders. The African Union was represented by the Chief of Staff, Bureau of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission as well as the Director, Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture of the African Union Commission (DREAAUC). Also represented was the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD). Other key stakeholders present were: African Union Member States; Regional Economic Communities (RECS); Regional Fisheries Bodies (RFBs), other Specialized Regional Institutions and AU-IBAR staff. Experts and representatives from key blue economy sectors (fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, transportation, energy, mining, and tourism) were also present. Also well represented were other interest groups active in the African Blue Economy, namely: the private sector, environment and conservation NGOs, Non-State actor organizations and groups (including women’s groups) and other Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). A significant number of African policy and governance specialists, journalists, academics, researchers and independent consultants also participated. The European Union, Norway and other development partners (including United Nation Economic Commission for Africa) also sent representatives. The consultation was led by the six selected consultants, with each expert providing a report on a selected Blue Economy thematic area. In all, the workshop was attended by 125 delegates drawn from across the African continent.

Facilitators and Rapporteurs

The opening session was facilitated by Dr. Baboucarr Jaw, Chief Animal Health Officer at AU-IBAR. The technical session was facilitated by Mr. Kennedy Oroko, Planner at AU-IBAR and Dr. Mohamed Seisay, Senior Fisheries Officer at AU-IBAR. Meeting Rapporteurs were Mr. Isaac Nyameke (GAFNET, Ghana) and Dr. Paubert Mahatante (SANSAFA, Madagascar).

18^th September, 2019, Nairobi, Kenya

Trypanosomiasis is a major disease affecting human and animals in 38 countries of sub-Saharan Africa. Its effect on animal and human health is known to have direct impact on livestock productivity, livestock management and human settlement; through those direct impacts, the disease has indirect impacts on crop agriculture and human welfare. Changes in livestock management, human settlement and crop agriculture also result in changes in land use, vegetation cover and environment and human welfare. All of these have implications for resource use patterns, and investments in natural capital. With a wealth of evidence on the extent of the tsetse, human and animal trypanosomiasis problem, the opportunity for researchers and experts from a mix of disciplines to meet and put this evidence into clear perspective is both timely and invaluable. The International Scientific Council for Trypanosomiasis Research and Control (ISCTRC), a statutory Council of the African Union Commission will provide the scientific arena to enable this important discussion, including, review control strategies and recommendations for appropriate smarter methods of tsetse and trypanosomiasis
control, at its 35^th General Conference. The ISCTRC shall also be commemorating its 70^th year of existence.

Following 34 successful conferences, the 35^th ISCTRC will be held in Abuja, Nigeria, from 23^rd – 27^th September 2019. The theme for this year is Impact of African Trypanosomiasis on Human and Animal Health, Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development in the face of challenges to sustainable investment in Animal African Trypanosomiasis (AAT) control and Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) elimination. The theme builds upon the 34^th Conference that was held in Livingstone, Zambian that focused on ‘Capitalizing on the progress made against human and animal trypanosomiases – the way forward in partnership with all stakeholders.’ This year, the Conference will be hosted by the Government of Nigeria, thus providing an opportunity for the Federal Government of Nigeria to showcase its fight against tsetse and trypanosomiasis in Africa.

The biennial conference is jointly organized by the African Union InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources, (as the Secretariat of the International Scientific Council for Trypanosomiasis Research and Control), the Pan African Tsetse and Trypanosomosis Eradication Campaign (PATTEC) and the Federal Government of Nigeria. For 70 years, since 1949, the Council has achieved its mandate of facilitating information sharing and exchange on matters regarding tsetse and trypanosomiasis research and control by holding regular biennial General Scientific Conferences.

© 2019 AU-IBAR. 8th Session of Aquaculture Network for Africa (ANAF) Meeting - Identification of gaps and areas of intervention for enhancing role of women and youth in aquaculture enterprise development in Africa.15^th - 16^th August 2019
Gaborone, BOTSWANA

Introduction

1. The Eighth Session of Aquaculture Network for Africa (ANAF) meeting was organized by the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR). The meeting was organized in collaboration with Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Government of Botswana.
2. The meeting was held from the 15^th to 16^th August 2019 at Cresta President Hotel in Gaborone, Botswana.
3. The major objective of the two-day meeting was to identify gaps and areas of intervention for enhancing role of women and youth in aquaculture enterprise development in Africa.
4. The specific objectives were to:
   
   1. Review progress since its Seventh ANAF annual meeting and identify actions for follow-up.
   2. Share experiences on the status of aquaculture development among African Union Member States and of interventions to strengthen women and youth participation in aquaculture development
   3. Document specific gaps in existing plans and frameworks for enhancing role of women and youth in aquaculture
   4. Establish existing plans and institutional frameworks for enhancing role of women and youth in aquaculture enterprise development in AU member states
   5. Identify priority areas and develop 2-year action plans for promoting role of women and youth in aquaculture business / enterprise development

Participation

5. The meeting was attended by representatives from the twelve (12) African Union Member States namely: Burkina Faso, Cameroun, Ghana, Nigeria, Malawi, Mozambique, Liberia, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, Uganda, and Zambia; Botswana was present as a hosting country; Regional institutions: Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation (LVFO), Southern Africa Development Community (SADC); Development partner: Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO);African Fisheries Policy Research network; Independent Experts from private sector and Academic institutions. Also in attendance were staff members of AU-IBAR.
6. The selected rapporteurs for this meeting were Dr Divine Ngala Tombuh (Cameroun), Ms Hellen Moepi (South Africa), Mrs Joyce Ikwaput-Nyeko (Uganda), and Dr Venantious Mulenga Musonda (Zambia).