FiTI Strengthens Engagement with Mozambique at the 3rd International “Growing Blue” Conference
At the invitation of the Secretary of State for Fisheries and the Sea, Dr Momade Arnaldo Juízo, the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI) International Secretariat, represented by FiTI Regional Coordinator for Lusophone Africa, Sara Lopes, participated in the 3rd International “Growing Blue” Conference organised by the Government of Mozambique.
The conference provided an important opportunity to deepen dialogue between the FiTI and Mozambican authorities on the benefits of transparency, inclusive governance and multi-stakeholder collaboration in the fisheries sector. It also enabled discussions to resume on Mozambique’s potential accession to the Initiative, reaffirming a shared commitment to strengthening transparency and accountability in the management of marine resources.
During the mission, the FiTI held a series of productive meetings with key government institutions and development partners, including the National Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture, IDEPA, and ProAzul, the public institution responsible for implementing Mozambique’s National Blue Growth Strategy. The FiTI also engaged with government departments responsible for maritime affairs, fisheries, environmental management and climate policy, as well as with national civil society organisations, private sector representatives and international partners, including the World Bank, FAO and GIZ.
The conference itself offered an excellent platform to present the FiTI and raise awareness of the role that fisheries transparency can play in supporting sustainable development. Through both plenary sessions and side events, participants explored how improved fisheries data governance, greater access to information, and stronger collaboration among stakeholders can contribute to the sustainable management of marine resources and the long-term health of the ocean.
Throughout the event, government authorities, public institutions, civil society organisations and private sector actors showed clear interest in further strengthening cooperation with the FiTI. Discussions highlighted a shared ambition to advance transparency, participatory governance and evidence-based decision-making, not only within fisheries but across the broader blue economy.
This mission also provided an opportunity to participate in several complementary events organised by the Government of Mozambique and its partners. These included the Global Gateway event organised by the European Union and iGravity, a multi-partner initiative involving organisations such as GIZ and BioFund. During these events, participants were introduced to important national initiatives, including the National Shark and Ray Management Plan and the Blue Economy Observatory.
The discussions with the institutions leading the development of the Blue Economy Observatory and the Blue Economy Satellite Account were particularly valuable. These exchanges helped identify potential synergies with the Fisheries Information System (FIS), an online platform developed by the FiTI and available to countries implementing the FiTI Standard to support the publication and dissemination of marine fisheries data in a transparent and accessible manner.
The conference confirmed Mozambican stakeholders’ strong interest in advancing fisheries transparency and strengthening cooperation around sustainable ocean governance. Building on the positive momentum generated here, the FiTI and the Mozambican authorities will continue their dialogue in the coming months. This includes discussion of a Memorandum of Understanding that would support the implementation of the FiTI in Mozambique, with technical and financial support from the Initiative and the continued engagement of government and development partners.
As Mozambique continues to advance its blue economy agenda, the FiTI looks forward to supporting national efforts to strengthen transparency, foster inclusive governance and ensure the sustainable management of the country’s valuable marine resources.
Source : FiTI
