Commemorating Africa Day of Seas and Oceans, our site advocates for a Decade of Ocean Recovery and intensified South-South Collaboration.
The Great Blue Wall Initiative, an African-led effort focused on ocean conservation and sustainable management of the continent's marine and coastal ecosystems, is making significant strides in addressing the triple crisis of biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution.
This initiative, inspired by the Great Green Wall project, aims to protect and restore Africa's coastal and marine biodiversity, enhance sustainable fisheries, promote blue economy development, and improve resilience against climate change impacts on oceans.
Key projects under the Great Blue Wall include the ReSea Project, WIOCOR, IslandPlas, Pamoja Tu hifadhi Bahari Yetu, and the BBNJ Information Series.
The ReSea Project, in its first year, reached 8,210 individuals, with a strong commitment to gender equality and youth inclusion, as 53% of the individuals reached were women, and 37% were youth. The project delivered targeted capacity-building, training 130 local actors in Nature-based Solutions for climate adaptation.
The ReSea Project also identified 15 community-driven, nature-based value chains across Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Madagascar, and Comoros. Over $800,000 in microgrants are being regranted to local organizations for seagrass conservation, nature-based solutions, and climate adaptation across these countries through the WIOCOR project.
The WIOCOR project is advancing coastal and ocean resilience across the Great Blue Wall seascapes, with a particular focus on seagrass conservation and climate adaptation. It supports the upcoming GBW Fellowship and the Natural Capital Financing Symposium to accelerate leadership and investment in nature-positive solutions.
The BBNJ Information Series is a series of monthly webinars starting in August, aimed at fostering regional understanding and cooperation to strengthen Africa's capacity to implement the BBNJ Agreement.
The IslandPlas project supports African island states in tackling plastic pollution through circular economy solutions. A regional seagrass status report is underway to strengthen evidence-based action in collaboration with WIOMSA.
The Pamoja Tuhifadhi Bahari Yetu Project is a marine and coastal conservation initiative in Tanzania, focusing on protecting coastal ecosystems and improving community livelihoods.
The Great Blue Wall Initiative is also strengthening inclusive governance through a 52% female representation in the Great Blue Wall Secretariat and collaboration with five Women's Rights Organisations (WROs).
As part of the website's BBNJ project and Voices Beyond Blue Campaign, a documentary titled "Ocean with David Attenborough" was screened in ESARO countries, including Kenya, Seychelles, and Mauritius. The screening brought together key stakeholders, raising awareness on marine biodiversity and its challenges, and catalyzing collective action for ocean protection.
The Africa Decade of Seas and Oceans (2015-2025) has ended, marking a decade of continental commitments to ocean protection, sustainable blue economies, and locally led innovation. The Great Blue Wall Initiative continues to drive these commitments forward, working towards a new Decade for OceanRegeneration and Equity, placing African and Southern voices at the heart of a global transition toward inclusive, nature-positive, and climate-resilient ocean economies.
[1] Great Blue Wall Initiative [2] African Union
- The Great Blue Wall Initiative, an African-led effort, is addressing the triple crisis of biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution, similar to the Great Green Wall project.
- Key projects under the Great Blue Wall Initiative include the ReSea Project, which reached 8,210 individuals in its first year, with a strong focus on Nature-based Solutions for climate adaptation.
- The WIOCOR project, another key project, is advancing coastal and ocean resilience, focusing on seagrass conservation and climate adaptation, and is providing microgrants to local organizations for seagrass conservation and climate adaptation.
- The Great Blue Wall Initiative is working towards a new Decade for Ocean Regeneration and Equity, placing African and Southern voices at the heart of a global transition toward inclusive, nature-positive, and climate-resilient ocean economies.
- As part of the Great Blue Wall Initiative, the Africa Decade of Seas and Oceans (2015-2025) has ended, marking a decade of continental commitments to ocean protection, sustainable blue economies, and locally led innovation.
