Angola assumes Presidency of the Benguela Current Convention

7th BCC Ministerial Conference

ANGOLA: Angola officially assumed the rotating presidency of the Benguela Current Convention during the 7^th BCC Ministerial Conference in Luanda Province this week.

Delivering the opening speech, Angola’s Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Carmen dos Santos emphasised the need for continued collective commitment and confirmed that the country will work in close cooperation to deepen the results already achieved and reinforce the joint response to the challenges that affect the marine ecosystem of the Benguela Stream.

The event brought together representatives of the three Member States of South Africa, Namibia and Angola with governors, diplomats, academics and civil society present to promote multisectoral management of the marine ecosystem.

The last BCC meeting was held in November 2017 in Windhoek when the presidency passed from South Africa to Namibia. The impact of COVID and the changes in government within the three countries delayed further meetings until this date.

The BCC is a key regional platform that brings together Angola, Namibia and South Africa to strengthen cooperation on the sustainable management of the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem, one of the most productive ocean areas in the world. During the Convention engagements, Ministers and senior officials deliberated on matters relating to marine environmental protection, scientific cooperation, sustainable resource management and strategies aimed at addressing shared challenges affecting coastal and marine ecosystems in the region.

“South Africa stands ready to work with Angola and Namibia in our shared responsibility to advance the full implementation of the Convention,” said the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp during his country statement at the event.

For South Africa, the BCC remains an important mechanism for advancing regional integration and ensuring the long-term health and productivity of the marine ecosystem for the benefit of present and future generations.

Aucamp emphasised the strategic importance of the BCC ecosystem within global frameworks and targets to end plastic pollution and combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

Given the rising importance and relevance of offshore oil and gas exploration, particularly in Namibia, discussion around regional collaboration to bolster oil spill preparedness that extends to the private sector was described as “essential” by Aucamp, who voiced his support for the continued expansion of the BCC’s scope to “fully address non-living marine resources and emerging ocean uses”.

 PHOTO: Representatives from South Africa, Namibia and Angola attended the 7^th Ministerial Conference of the Benguela Current Convention. (Source: Angola's Ministry of  Fisheries and Marine Resources.)

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