The Role of Aquaculture in Combating Food Insecurity in Africa

 The embassies of Morocco and the United States in Norway held a roundtable discussion on the theme: « The Role of Aquaculture in Combating Food Insecurity in Africa. » The event brought together a Moroccan delegation along with representatives from Norway’s ministries of Foreign Affairs, Trade, Industry, and Fisheries, as well as representatives from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research, and embassies from Portugal, Ghana, Spain, and Iceland.

 During her speech, Morocco’s ambassador to Norway, Ms. Nabila Freidji, emphasized the significance of aquaculture as a crucial lever to enhance food security in Africa. She highlighted Morocco’s strategic role as a regional leader and central player in Atlantic cooperation, thanks to innovative initiatives aimed at increasing marine production while preserving coastal ecosystems.

Ms. Freidji also spoke about the “Royal Atlantic Strategy,” which provides landlocked countries in the Sahel region with opportunities to access marine resources and integrate into global value chains. This vision reflects Morocco’s commitment to fostering sustainable and inclusive development.

Mr. Tarek Izararen, Permanent Secretary of the African Atlantic States Process, underscored the importance of this initiative as a comprehensive framework to achieve harmonious development in the region. He also highlighted Morocco’s efforts to enhance maritime connectivity, a critical factor in integrating the region into global trade.

 Norwegian participants presented international cooperation programs such as « Fish for Development, » « Oceans for Development, » and the “EAF-Nansen” program. These initiatives focus on sustainable resource management, enhancing food security, and improving the socio-economic conditions of local communities.

On the American side, participants stressed the importance of shared responsibility in the Atlantic space, calling for strengthened collaboration to make aquaculture a driver of food security in Africa. The discussions highlighted the need for an integrated approach involving public authorities, private sector players, and research institutions to improve the sustainability, resilience, and competitiveness of the aquaculture sector.

 On the sidelines of the event, the Moroccan delegation held bilateral meetings with Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Norad to explore cooperation opportunities on topics of mutual interest, including food security and aquaculture development.

This event underscored the importance of strategic partnerships and multilateral cooperation in harnessing the potential of aquaculture, paving the way for a more secure and prosperous future in Africa and the Atlantic space.