5th Project Steering Committee Meeting Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity in African Blue Economy

Since the inception of the report in 2021, and in line with the statutory requirements of the project, four projects technical committee (PTC) meetings and four steering committee (PSC) meetings have been organized. The PTC meetings have provided significant technical guidance for coherent implementation of the project, ensuring synergies with related ongoing activities by other partners working in the same aquatic space.  The PSC has over the years taken sound decisions that have provided strategic and future direction to the project management; ensuring the project is aligned with AU priorities and continental aspirations as enshrined in the AU African Blue Economy Strategy and AU Agenda 2063. One of the major decisions taken, during the immediate previous meeting of the PSC, was for the project management to develop a proposal for second phase of the Project. This decision re-echoed and reiterated a key recommendation from the report of the mid-term evaluation of the Project; which was also for AU-IBAR to develop second phase of the project for consolidation of activities and comprehensive implementation of emerging activities relating to aquatic biodiversity conservation and ecosystems management.

Since the commencement of the extension phase of the project on the 15th December 2025, significant interventions have been made by the Project consistent with the approved workplan. Also, important issues have emerged. Due to budget constraint, virtual meeting of the project steering committee will be convened to share milestones attained by project and seek further strategic policy direction from the PSC members.