Discussion on the status of the project to formulate a national strategy for the sea and continental waters of the Congo

On January 16, 2024, an important meeting took place in Brazzaville, between the Permanent Secretary of the Interministerial Committee for State Action at Sea and in Continental Waters, Mr. Eric Olivier Sébastien Dibas-Franck and Mr. Gilles Chehab, Expert Consultant of the European Union, who was accompanied by Mr. Giacomo Durazzo, EU Ambassador to Congo and the Deputy Head of Delegation, Mr. Torben Nilsson. The aim of the meeting was to discuss the current status of the project to formulate a national strategy for the sea and continental waters in the Congo.

According to the European Union expert consultant, “This work will be carried out in several stages over the course of the year. First of all, I need to appreciate the scope of the assignment, as the range of maritime and inland water issues is vast. Obviously, this work will then require the support of various experts that I will be able to recruit to work hand in hand with national experts”.

He adds that the aim of this work will be to produce a strategic document, but not a technical one. This will involve close collaboration with the Permanent Secretariat, which will receive regular information and updates on the progress of the work. The inter-ministerial committee could also guide the work if necessary.

Speaking in his turn, the EU Ambassador to Congo recalled that in November 2023, the EU had confirmed its commitment to accompany Congo in drawing up the national strategy for the sea and continental waters. “We had already discussed in the past EU support and expertise to accompany Congo in the implementation of the said strategy”.

“This gradual support, which will involve European experts, must be defined on the basis of needs and the contribution of national experts, of course if necessary, and will be provided in several stages until the final conclusion is reached”, added the EU Ambassador to Congo.

It will be recalled that the expert on the state of play of the national strategy will hold talks with the member ministers of the inter-ministerial committee, such as Fisheries, Hydrocarbons, Merchant Marine, Environment and River Economy.

The European Union congratulates the Congo on this important initiative, which is aimed at both the country’s safety and economic development.