Countries in the Atlantic cooperation have pledged to work together to address the challenges of climate change, natural disasters, and environmental degradation, collaborating on science-based, innovative solutions to advance their shared goals.
The Senior Coordinator for Atlantic Cooperation, US Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Ambassador Jessye Lapenn, stated at a media roundtable in Abuja, the nation’s capital, that a scholarship and exchange program would be established through cooperation to foster excellence and build ties among the next generation of scientists.
“ The Atlantic Ocean is the world’s most heavily travelled ocean with critical trade routes and global energy reserves. The World Bank estimates that the ocean contributes $1.5 trillion annually to the global economy—and expects this figure to double by 2030.”
Sustainable ocean economy sectors are estimated to generate almost 50 million jobs in Africa and to contribute $21 billion to Latin American GDP.
Meanwhile, challenges like illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing; natural disasters; and illicit trafficking threaten this economy. We recognize that no country alone can solve the cross-boundary challenges in the Atlantic region or fully address the opportunities before us.
The Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation seeks to usher in a new chapter in regional cooperation, forging deeper connections across Atlantic countries on four continents.
The purpose of the Partnership is twofold: (1) to enable Atlantic countries to expand cooperation on a range of shared goals and (2) to uphold a set of shared principles for Atlantic cooperation.
She also disclosed that “The Partnership will give our countries a new platform to work together on issues such as science and technology, sustainable ocean economy, and climate change.
Participating countries also endorsed a Plan of Action outlining the first phase of work this new grouping will undertake, including scientific cooperation and shared research, information and maritime awareness, and development of a cadre of young Atlantic scientists.”
Ambassador Lapenn, also explained that a new multilateral forum, launched on September 18, aims at bringing together a number of coastal Atlantic countries across Africa, Europe, North America, South America, and the Caribbean, including Nigeria.
Commendation
The Ambassador, while commending Nigeria for creating the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy as an initiative to boost the economy and also pay attention to the actualization of the Sustainable Development Goals, noted that Nigeria is a leader in the ocean space, the reason why she was in the country to discuss with Nigerian officials how to get the best of the partnership.
“This is my first trip since the launch, and it is really important for me to come to Nigeria as soon as we have launched the partnership. A big piece of my visit was in order to see the new minister for the blue economy. He joined Secretary Blinken in New York for the launch of the partnership…and now I have come to see him to hear what his vision for this new ministry, what’s Nigeria’s vision for a blue economy and how do we put those pieces together?”
The Atlantic Cooperation was created on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States, and outlined for participating countries the promotion of scientific cooperation by sharing information, building capacity, and increasing access to technology on voluntary and mutually agreed terms.
The declaration for Atlantic cooperation was released by the Governments of Angola, Argentina, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Canada, Costa Rica, and Cote d’Ivoire. Others include the Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, and Iceland.
Other participating countries in the Atlantic Cooperation are Ireland, Liberia, Mauritania, Morocco, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, and Portugal, as well as the Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Spain, Togo, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Uruguay.
The coming together of the 32 countries would help them tap the potentials of the Atlantic.
Shakirat Sadiq
