Topic: Unlocking the potential of an inclusive blue economy: The - PDF document

Topic: Unlocking the potential of an inclusive blue economy: The gender and capacity imperatives Moderated panel discussion; November 28, from 9:00am to 11:00am, at the KICC Subtopic: Capacity needs in the ocean administration sector Presenter: Mr. Abubakar Mohamud (Somalia) Talking Points Will answer these questions What are key institutions responsible of ocean administration? What are the main challenges faced in these institutions? What kind of capacity building is needed in these institutions to unlock the potential of an inclusive blue economy? 1. Introductions • It is a great honor and privilege to join you all for this important meeting on ‘U nlocking the potential of an inclusive blue economy: The gender and capacity imperatives ’ . • I would like to thank DOALOS for organizing this crucial side event and bringing us all together. I am especially pleased to be participating in this panel and I will be focusing on the capacity needs aspect in regard to the ocean administration. 2. Background/Challenges • Our region has a complicated relationship with the Ocean. The challenges of exploiting the marine resources for sustainable development are enormous. Piracy, IUU fishing, marine pollution, and all other forms of maritime crimes are real challenges that require our attention. • A successful and sustainable ocean administration needs effective institutions, like Maritime Authority, Port Authority, and Maritime law enforcement authorities which are crucial for maritime operations and ensuring safer, secure and cleaner Ocean. However, most countries in our region, these institutions are still finding their feet. • The fluid and yet fully unsettled governance situation can make operations difficult for donors and other partners. • The importance of institution capacity building is very well understood in maritime discussions, but implementation is the challenge. The challenge of implementation stems from very limited government revenue with too many 1

urgent priorities and in the maritime sector this translates into the scarcity of resources both human and infrastructure. • Therefore, to overcome these challenges and unlock the potential of an inclusive blue economy we need to address the capacity needs for the ocean administration. 3. Capacity Needs for Ocean Administration • Appropriate governance mechanisms for the maritime institutions a) The development of appropriate governance mechanisms for the maritime institutions including: maritime administration, maritime law enforcement authorities and other maritime institutions b) Key harmonization of the policies, laws and regulations related to ocean administration in order to support the blue economy • Operational capabilities a) Develop operational capabilities for instance to go to sea and exercise national and international laws within Country’s maritime domain b) Commit initial funding for the basic trainings, equipment, platforms, infrastructure and technology. Whilst also mindful of the sustainability and the realistic maintenance capacity of the Government c) The placement of well-trained permanent civil servants and advisers to take the leading role in the maritime capacity building d) Focus on overcoming the shortage of the resources allocated for the maritime sector: national budget is not prioritize the blue economy because of lack of understanding at the political level. • Coordination capacity a) Close coordination between all agencies of a country, regional partners and international donors - The development of governance structure that supports this b) Better coordination and agreement of working relations between different maritime institutions can resolve many of the impediments that cause confusion, duplication and waste of vital resources and funding for the maritime capacity building. We must sharpen our collective focus on this. c) Building strong relations with coastal communities: promoting the blue economy as a source of opportunity over criminality d) Understand that capacity building issue is solely a matter of technical rather than political discussion: Commission regular skills audit for the blue economy. For instance in some countries, 2

the politicians make the decisions and these politicians are overwhelmed. Other Important points • Capacity building should take regional approach because challenges are cross boundaries • Overcome the culture of project-based work initiatives. Rather work on the single maritime strategy in place and setup a regular follow up and cross check mechanism for the implementation against the routine work of the Government institutions • The capacity building response should be balanced but more leaning towards more maritime support in setting up and reforming policies, approaches, legislative frameworks and institutions to establish robust and implementable strategies for utilizing the economic opportunities of the oceans. • Capacity building focus on the provision of hardware or training, the establishment of effective legal authorities needs to be prioritized in the first instance. When appropriate legal frameworks are not in place in the recipient state in question, all other capacity building efforts are likely to founder in the medium and long-terms. 3