2026-04-07 (IPMA)
Angola has taken a significant step towards economic diversification and environmental sustainability with the launch of the Initiative for a Sustainable and Strategic Blue Economy in Angola, a project funded by the European Union with approximately €30 million.
The initiative is implemented under the Team Europe Initiative and involves a consortium led by the Spanish cooperation agency (FIAP), with the participation of Portugal (Camões – Institute for Cooperation and Language, I.P.) and France (Expertise France). Portugal is responsible for the component dedicated to the sustainable management of marine resources.
To ensure technical implementation, Camões, I.P. is supported by specialised Portuguese entities, namely the Directorate-General for Maritime Policy (DGPM), the Directorate-General for Natural Resources, Safety and Maritime Services (DGRM), and the Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere, I.P. (IPMA).
The formal launch of the initiative was marked by a technical workshop held between 16 and 20 March 2026, which brought together Angolan authorities, international partners, and experts from the maritime sector, including IPMA researchers João Pereira (Head of the Fisheries Resource Modelling and Management Division – DivRP) and Miguel Santos (Coordinator of the Ocean Observation and Monitoring Unit – NOMO). The meeting aimed to present the project, gather input from stakeholders, and align priorities for its implementation.
The project seeks to support the diversification of the Angolan economy, focusing on the valorisation of marine resources, the protection of coastal ecosystems, and the strengthening of value chains related to aquatic food.
During the inaugural workshop, which followed a participatory approach, partners presented the project structure, including its intervention logic, planned activities, and strategic objectives. The thematic working sessions enabled the collection of technical contributions and the identification of risks, opportunities, and institutional coordination needs.
According to the organisers, the event aimed to ensure the active involvement of stakeholders, promoting a co-creation process and strengthening the commitment of Angolan institutions to the initiative.
The agenda included presentation sessions, specialised working groups, and evaluation meetings, involving entities from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources of the Government of Angola, representatives of the European Union, and international organisations such as FAO.
With this project, Angola reinforces its commitment to a sustainable blue economy as a driver of growth, innovation, and environmental preservation, aligning with international priorities for sustainable development.
Finally, the portuguese delegation visited Angola’s research vessel ‘Baía Farta’, accompanied by Dr Filomena Vaz Velho, Director-General of the National Institute for Fisheries and Marine Research (INIPM) of Angola.
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