UNIDO's drives a Development Dialogue on Blue Industry and the Blue Economy Agenda

Vienna, 2 July 2024 - UNIDO spearheaded a vibrant Development Dialogue on its Blue Industry contribution to the Blue Economy Agenda, held in a hybrid format. The event drew over 120 attendees, including Permanent Missions from 32 nations and key development partners such as the Association of Southeastern Asian Nations (ASEAN), the European Union (EU), and the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

As highlighted in her opening remarks by Ms. Cecilia Ugaz Estrada, UNIDO's Deputy to the Director General and Managing Director, the Organization is committed to harnessing the power of the Blue Economy to drive positive change for our water ecosystems and our communities. The importance of the Blue Economy as a catalyst for sustainable development was also stressed in the high-level remarks delivered by Mr. Andreas A. Hutahaean, Deputy Director of the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Investment of Indonesia.

The event provided a platform for the UNIDO Blue Economy Task Force, coordinated by Mr. Alejandro Rivera Rojas, to share its recent work towards the development of a holistic and integrated Blue Industry Programmatic Framework. This Framework will allow for optimizing and scaling up the impact of UNIDO’s interventions in this area, supporting the development of blue industries that effectively contribute to sustainable development and the 2030 Agenda. 

The session also gathered distinguished representatives to discuss different Blue Economy strategic frameworks and initiatives. Participants could hear the insights shared by Ms. Kanchana Wanichkorn, Director, ASEAN Economic Community Department, ASEAN Secretariat; Mr. Damien Prescott, Consultant Project Coordinator, Export Barbados; Mr. Khov Koung, Deputy Director General of Fisheries Administration, Cambodia; Ms. Veronica García Gutierrez, Minister Counsellor, Embassy of Costa Rica in Vienna; and Mr. Azaza Mohamed Salah, Director, Aquaculture Laboratory, INSTM, Tunisia.

UNIDO announced plans for a Technical Expert Group Meeting in October this year to finalize the Blue Industry Programmatic Framework, crucial for translating these exchanges into actionable initiatives. Additionally, preparations are underway for a second Development Dialogue next year to review progress, share advancements, and foster continued collaboration towards a sustainable and prosperous Blue Economy.

Together, we look forward to driving impactful initiatives that will shape a sustainable future for our oceans and communities.

For more information, please contact Alejandro Rivera Rojas at A.RIVERA-ROJAS [at] unido.org