UN Ocean Conference Side Event: High Level Policy Dialogue on Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture for Blue Economies in Africa

Venue: Lisbon (Mr. Mitsuyuki Unno, Executive Director, read the message on behalf of the Chairman)

Good evening, I would like to express my respect to the Governments of the Republic of Kenya and Portugal for co-hosting the Second Ocean Conference and especially to the leadership of President Kenyatta.

The relationship between Africa and The Nippon Foundation goes back close to forty years. A widespread famine affected Ethiopia where millions of people died of starvation during1983 to 1985. In response for a prompt action, former US president Jimmy Carter Dr. Norman Borlaug, ‘Father of Green Revolution’ and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and my late father Ryoichi Sasakawa, came to a decision to support agriculture in Africa. Ever since, we have continued to train smallholder farmers, the major players of African agriculture, to become self-sustaining and to improve their livelihood.  

Today the world is threatened by declining wheat supply and rising food prices due to unstable world situation. The United Nations is estimating that one point six billion people, mainly in the developing world will be exposed to yet another food crisis. I think there is no other time than now that Africa can make use of their past experiences and play a major role in the hunger crisis that humankind is facing now. This is not limited to agricultural sector but includes the preservation and sustainable use of the marine resources in the vast oceans and seas surrounding the African countries. 

The coastal waters surrounding the African continent had always been exploited as an ideal place for large-scale fishing by foreign vessels. The African countries have now stood up to take united action against this risk and protect their waters from illegal fishing. This is a very commendable step towards the realization of blue economy in Africa. I believe that Africa has a massive potential and benefits from a vibrant blue economy and at the same time, make a huge contribution to the food crisis that is facing the entire world today. For that, The Nippon Foundation will continue our support in the ocean sector research and capacity-building,  indispensable for Africa,  in collaboration with The Ocean Policy Research Institute, Sasakawa Peace Foundation and The World Maritime University.

Our activities of close to forty years in Africa were met with succession of many difficulties and was never a smooth sail. However, we have walked with the people of Africa with untiring perseverance and the spirit of ‘Never Give Up’. Let us now all go forward with the same perseverance and spirit and promote blue economy for Africa so that sustainable oceans can be passed on to the future a thousand years ahead. Thank you.