The Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Deogratius Ndejembi, is expected to be the Guest of Honour at the Fifth International Blue Economy Conference, scheduled to take place from September 7 to 9 this year at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam.
The conference is expected to provide an important platform for experts, researchers, policymakers and various stakeholders to discuss opportunities arising from marine and freshwater resources, while giving young people an opportunity to learn about and identify economic opportunities available in the sector.
Speaking to journalists in Dar es Salaam earlier today, Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute Principal Tumaini Gurumo said the conference will bring together participants from Tanzania, Africa and other parts of the world.
She said some of the key issues to be discussed will include ways of efficiently utilising resources from the ocean, rivers, lakes and other water sources to create employment, promote innovation and drive sustainable development.
“We want this conference to enable various stakeholders to gain a deeper understanding of the opportunities available in the Blue Economy and the best ways of utilising them for the development of citizens and the nation as a whole,” Gurumo said.
She added that the conference will feature technical presentations as well as presentations of findings from various studies conducted by scientists and researchers in different areas of the Blue Economy.
According to Gurumo, the research findings will be discussed with the aim of identifying challenges facing the sector, finding solutions and developing strategies for applying the research findings to promote the Blue Economy in Tanzania and across Africa.
Gurumo said young people from universities, secondary schools and primary schools have been invited to participate in the conference to enhance their understanding of opportunities available in the Blue Economy.
She said the initiative aims to ensure that young people become familiar with the sector at an early age and understand the role they can play in utilising water resources for self-employment, employment and establishing various economic activities.
“It is important for our young people to understand the Blue Economy agenda while they are still young because they are the ones who will have the responsibility of developing this sector in the future,” she said.
The conference is expected to attract participants from Tanzania and abroad, including representatives from Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Comoros, Seychelles and Uganda.
Other countries outside Africa expected to participate include Japan, Sweden and Russia. Ambassadors representing various countries in Tanzania, leaders of public and private institutions, scientists, researchers, policymakers and Blue Economy stakeholders are also expected to attend.
Gurumo said the conference is also aligned with the Tanzania National Development Vision 2050 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, both of which emphasise the sustainable utilisation of resources for economic and social development.
She said Tanzania has significant opportunities through its ocean, rivers, lakes and other water resources, making it important for stakeholders to work together to utilise these resources sustainably and increase their contribution to the national economy.
She urged Tanzanians to participate in the conference to gain knowledge, exchange experiences and identify various opportunities available in the Blue Economy, particularly in investment, employment, research, technology and innovation.