The COMESA Regional Policy Framework and Reform Strategy (PFRS), based on the African Union's renowned Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture (PFRS), was reviewed and validated during a workshop held in Kampala, Uganda, from September 24–25, 2024.
The workshop's opening session featured official remarks by H.E. Madam Hellen Adoa, Uganda's Minister of State for Fisheries. Additional remarks were delivered by Ms. Hellen Guebama from AU-IBAR and Ms. Providence Mavubi from the COMESA Secretariat. Representing AU-IBAR Director Huyam Sarah, Ms. Guebama emphasized the timeliness of COMESA’s efforts in developing a regional policy framework that adapts the PFRS to regional contexts while maintaining its global and continental relevance.
The technical sessions commenced with Mr. Rafik Nouaili (AU-IBAR) and Dr. Yoseph Mamo (COMESA), who provided an overview of the COMESA Fisheries Programme and the African Union’s PFRS. In a later session, Dr. Najat El Moutchou presented key challenges, opportunities, and policy areas within the COMESA Regional PFRS. Participants then broke into groups to discuss and work on these topics, culminating in plenary presentations. Country representatives later outlined their national priorities.
On the second day, group discussions continued with a focus on the Reform Strategy and Implementation Mechanism, followed by plenary sessions and the adoption of a communiqué. Closing remarks were made by the Director of Fisheries Resources, Uganda, along with the Directors representative of AU-IBAR and COMESA. The validation of the COMESA Regional Policy concluded the workshop.
The workshop participants included officials from the Ugandan government, COMESA’s Secretary General, directors of fisheries and aquaculture from AU Member States, representatives from regional economic communities (RECs), regional fisheries bodies (RFBs), international organizations, business leaders, civil society, women’s groups, and experts from AU-IBAR.
The PFRS, endorsed during the 2014 African Union Commission Joint Ministerial Conference, identifies RECs, such as COMESA, as critical to the strategy’s success. By adapting and enhancing its regional PFRS, COMESA seeks to drive coherent policies, sustainable development, and growth within the sector. While the PFRS has facilitated a favorable environment for fisheries across most AU Member States, supporting food security, livelihoods, and income generation, challenges remain. These include weak governance tools, poor regional collaboration, fragmented institutions, unsustainable fishing practices, low profitability, ineffective advocacy, and limited public sector investment. With support from EU-funded projects, such as FishGov 1 and 2, AU-IBAR has led efforts to implement the PFRS by building capacity, enhancing governance, and fostering cooperation across the continent.
Picture @The Exchange Africa
