The 11th edition of the Regional Coastal and Marine Forum, organized by the Regional Partnership for Coastal and Marine Conservation in West Africa (PRCM), ended on Friday 26 April 2024 in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. As in the previous editions, this eagerly awaited event succeeded in mobilizing conservation stakeholders from a wide range of backgrounds and countries to reflect on the future of the West African coastline around the theme: “Conservation, resilience and sustainable development of the West African coastline in the face of global changes“.
In all, more than 400 participants from several African countries and the Western world attended. The event was marked by the holding of 31 side events, 11 technical workshops and 3 special events.
During the plenary sessions and side events, participants discussed not only the major issues at stake in the conservation and sustainable management of marine and coastal resources, but also the solutions and strategies to be implemented to tackle the challenges of climate change, marine pollution, overfishing and the degradation of natural habitats, etc.
Commending the organizing of this event, Manon CASSARA, environmental specialist and World Bank representative said that “PRCM has set the bar very high. It was the ideal place to find all the players involved in the marine and coastal environment in West Africa. Everyone was there, and that’s a really good thing.”
A dazzling opening ceremony with leading figures attending
The President of Guinea Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, presiding over the opening ceremony of FOMACO, alongside the Minister for the Environment and the Executive Director of the PRCM.
The opening ceremony took place in the auditorium of the Dunia Hotel and was presided over by His Excellency Umaro Sissoco EMBALÓ, President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau. In his inaugural speech, he expressed his satisfaction at seeing Guinea-Bissau host such a major event, not without congratulating the organizers on their work.
Referring to the rich biodiversity heritage of West Africa, he highlighted the major challenges threatening the region, calling for urgent action:
“We are facing unprecedented challenges that threaten the sustainability and health of our precious ecosystems. Overfishing, plastic pollution, climate change, loss of coastal habitat and ecosystem degradation are all threats to our seas and coasts. These challenges know no borders, and they require collective and concerted action at a regional and international scale.”
The Bissau Guinean President also called for a collective action to overcome these challenges, stressing that Guinea-Bissau is ready to actively engage in this process:
“Cooperation and partnership are essential to achieve our common and fundamental objectives. Guinea-Bissau is committed to the principle of participatory, open and qualified governance, with a view to protecting our natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations.”
Speaking in turn, PRCM Director, Dr Ahmed SENHOURY, expressed thanks to Guinea-Bissau authorities for their support in organizing the Forum. He praised the efforts of the countries in the sub-region that have been involved in conservation for over 30 years, citing Guinea-Bissau as an example, whose national system of protected areas continues to grow. He went on to stress the urgent need to strengthen the resilience of the coastal environment and the populations that depend on it, both for food security and for development.
Lastly, he invited the President of the Republic to lobby his peers, the Heads of State of the sub-region, to raise awareness of the strategic importance of the coastal and marine zone:
” Mr. President, the stakeholders of the coastal zone present at the 2024 Regional Forum and the PRCM coalition are asking for your valuable support in raising awareness among your peers, the Heads of State of the sub-region, as to the strategic importance of the coastal and marine zone and the urgent need to strengthen the resilience of the coastal environment and the populations that depend on it, both for food security and for development,” he said.
The opening ceremony was also marked by artistic performances by local troupes. The scenes recounted the impact of human activities on biodiversity and reminded us of the need to work together to preserve it.
A call to action for the conservation and sustainable management of the coastal and marine zone
The Forum was a landmark occasion to rethink the ways to face the current conservation challenges in the sub-region and define the work agenda for the next decade. High-level speakers addressed a wide range of topics, including sustainable development for the West African marine and coastal zone, Marine Protected Areas, blue carbon, nature-based solutions, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, etc.
The highlights of this year’s event include the application for the Bijagos Islands to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the adoption of the Bissau Declaration, reaffirming regional stakeholders’ commitment to the conservation and sustainable development of the West African shoreline. Several partnership agreements were signed towards strengthening collaboration among players in the sector.
The Forum also brought together civil society organizations (CSOs) that expressed their concerns about the accelerated development of mining, oil and gas infrastructure on the West African coast. They announced the forthcoming establishment of the Network of West African Coastal Civil Society Organizations and pledged to work in synergy with PRCM and its partners to strengthen advocacy and raise awareness of natural solutions for preserving the coastline.
According to UEMOA Director of Environment and Water Resources, Christophe DEUGUENON, this 11th edition had mobilized civil society players, offered high-quality scientific presentations on the problems of the marine and coastal zone, and ensured the availability of technical and financial partners. PRCM continues to play a key role in coordinating actions and mobilizing resources for the conservation and sustainable development of the West African coastline. The next Forum will be held in Nouakchott, Mauritania, in 2026.
Watch the video highlights of the Forum
