Nairobi, Kenya August 6-8, 2015 - Non States Actor are organizations with sufficient power to influence and bring about change in the community; even though they do not belong to any established institution of a state. They are therefore fundamental in ensuring the sustainable development of fisheries and aquaculture in Africa. Their importance was recognised by the second conference of African Ministers of fisheries and aquaculture (CAMFA II) who urged African Union, RECs and Member States ‘‘to facilitate the participation of non-state actors in fisheries and aquaculture decision-making processes”.
The African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), in collaboration with NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA) with financial support from the European Union, organized a coordination meeting for Non State Actors (NSAs) organizations’ in the fisheries and aquaculture sector in Africa on 6-8 August 2015 in Nairobi, Kenya.
The main objective of this meeting was to develop a framework for effective coordination of the NSAs activities and participations in fisheries management and decision-making process at regional and national levels in Africa.
The Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for fisheries and aquaculture in Africa underscores the need for empowering Non-State Actors (NSAs) and the development of an advocacy strategy to enhance the participation of stakeholders for inclusive decision-making in fisheries and aquaculture in Africa.
Mr. Daniel Osiemo, Director of NEPAD Programmes in Kenya in his opening remarks welcomed all the delegates for accepting to participate to this important meeting, reminding the participants of the rich potential of fisheries resources in the African continent. These resources are very important for the livelihoods of many communities as well as the economic development of African countries; hence the focus of Africans should be to strengthen the capacity of all stakeholders in order to realise the full potential of the sector. He also emphasised the need for collaboration and sharing of experience among African states in order to increase the benefit to be realised in the sector.
Dr. Simplice Nouala, Chief Animal Production Officer, on behalf of the Director AU-IBAR noted the key role of Non state Actors as agent of social and economic empowerment of local communities. Dr. Nouala underscores the importance of empowering NSAs in other to facilitate their full participation in the development of the sector. He stressed the need for improving coordination and partnership between NSAs at national and regional levels in order to strengthen their common voice in support of their communities and for the sustainable management of the sector.
The meeting was attended by 30 Delegates representing regional and national NSAs in the five regions of Africa (North, West, Central, East and Southern).
The main outcomes of the workshop were:
- Action plans developed and validated for the establishment of regional platforms for non-state actors in Central, Eastern and Western Africa
- Entry points identified for strengthening existing regional platform for non-states actors in North Africa
- Action plan developed and validated for establishment of a Pan African Platform for non- state actors within the framework of the African Fisheries Reform Mechanism