Agenda

DAY 1: TUESDAY 25th JUNE 2019 

08:00 – 09:00 | Registration & welcome coffee

09:00 – 09:15 | Opening

• Ms Leila Ben Hassen, Founder & CEO, Blue Jay Communication
• HE Mokhtar Hammami, Minister of Local Affairs and Environment, Republic of Tunisia
• HE Samir Taieb, Minister of Agriculture, Hydraulic Resources and Fisheries, Republic of Tunisia
  
  

09:15 – 10:00 | Blue Talk

• HE Samir Taieb, Minister of Agriculture, Hydraulic Resources and Fisheries, Republic of Tunisia
• Mr Felix Leinemann, Head of Unit for Blue Economy Sectors, Aquaculture and Maritime Spatial Planning, European Commission

Moderator: Mr Henry Bonsu, Journalist & Broadcaster

10:00 – 11:00 | Panel 1
Public-private partnerships: incentives, opportunities and actions – How can PPPs help advance a Sustainable Blue Economy?

Technology innovations are creating new opportunities in the area of maritime activities. How can Governments and businesses work closer together to harness the full potential of the oceans and foster an inclusive Blue Economy in Africa?

• HE Elizabeth Naa Afoley Quaye, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Republic of Ghana
• Ms Claire Jolly, Head STI Ocean Economy Group, OECD
• Dr Frannie Léautier, Chief Operating Officer, Trade and Development Bank
• Mr Paul Holthus, Founder & CEO, World Ocean Council

Moderator: Mr Zyad Limam, publisher and journalist, Afrique Magazine

11:00 – 11:15 | Networking break

11:15 – 12:15 | Panel 2
Women empowerment in the maritime sector: How can we encourage and enable more women to join the industry?

According to the FAO, women play a key role in the fisheries and aquaculture value chain. Yet their contributions are often overlooked or undervalued. How can the AU, national port authorities, maritime operators and other stakeholders help identify more opportunities to develop a sustainable and integrated maritime sector that will create jobs and encourage more “maritime female champions” to emerge?  

• Ms Jean Chiazor Anishere, President, WIMAfrica
• Dr Sana Taktak, Tunisia Ambassador, International Association for Women in the Seafood Industry
• Ms Radhia Talbi, Vice President, Arab Women in Maritime Association (ARAB WIMA)

Moderator: Ms Leila Ben Hassen, Founder & CEO, Blue Jay Communication

12:15 – 13:15 | Panel 3
Fishing & aquaculture: what are the latest trends and practices to improve food security and boost sustainable growth?

Aquaculture growth in Africa can play a catalytic role in reducing extreme poverty, building resilient communities and fostering stronger economies. What are the main challenges and opportunities for the industry to grow? What are the requirements (e.g. training, capacity building, governance) that need to be addressed beforehand?

• Dr Leila Basti, Assistant Professor, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology
• Dr Ruth Leeney, Communications Coordinator, Blue Ventures
• Dr Jeremy Prince, Adjunct Professor of Fisheries, Murdoch University, Australia
• Mr Abdallah Rebhi, Secretary of State in charge of Hydraulic Resources and Fisheries, Republic of Tunisia

Moderator: Mr Maximilian Jarrett, Founder Abundenta Divina (Media) Ltd, & Special Adviser, Africa Progress Group (chaired by President Olusegun Obasanjo)

13:15 – 14:15 | Lunch

14:15 – 15:15 | Panel 4
Ocean pollution: what are the new regulatory tools and regulations in Africa?

Recent studies estimate that over 1 million marine species and at least 100 million marine mammals are killed each year due to plastic debris alone whilst the cumulative weight of warming, acidification, habitat destruction, coastal pollution and overfishing is threatening the health of our oceans. How to prevent land debris from impacting our oceans and turning the challenge of pollution into economic opportunity?

• Mr Paul Holthus, Founder & CEO, World Ocean Council
• Mr Faouzi Maamouri, Director, WWF North Africa
• Ms Lydia Ngugi, International Maritime Lawyer, Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre (MTCC)-Africa
• Dr Sana Taktak, Tunisia Ambassador, International Association for Women in the Seafood Industry

Moderator: Mr Zyad Limam, publisher and journalist, Afrique Magazine

15:15 – 16:15 | Panel 5
Ocean governance & security: how can we better protect Africa’s maritime resources?

The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) has shown its limitations as ocean related crises continue to develop around the globe. Some of the most pressing challenges range from fighting illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing; regulating and managing the impacts of seabed exploration and mining; fighting piracy and marine pollution; to spatial maritime planning. How can international and African stakeholders get together to build an efficient framework for better ocean governance? 

• Mr Joshua Brien, Special Counsel, Cooley LLP
• Mr John Brown, Consultant – Law of Sea, Cooley LLP
• Captain Peter Hammarstedt, Chairman, Sea Shepherd Australia
• Mr Mark Spalding, President, The Ocean Foundation

Moderator: Mr Maximilian Jarrett, Founder Abundenta Divina (Media) Ltd, & Special Adviser, Africa Progress Group (chaired by President Olusegun Obasanjo)

16:15 – 16:30 | Networking break

16:30 – 17:30 | Panel 6
Sustainable ocean energy: what are the opportunities and innovations?

Unlike other renewable industries, ocean energy generation is still widely underdeveloped. What are the opportunities and how can they help address the global demand?

• Mr Christophe Bondy, Special Counsel, Cooley LLP
• Dr Divaldo Rezende, Global Head of Climate and Social Finance, Aenergy
• Mr Bill Staby, Co-founder & CEO, Resolute Marine

Moderator: Mr Tony Tiyou, Founder & CEO, Renewables in Africa

19:00 – 21:00 | Cocktail reception sponsored by the Tunisian National Tourist Office