The African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) is hosting a pivotal National Stakeholders Consultative and Validation Workshop from August 20-24 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. This event is part of the organization’s broader efforts to strengthen and align Burkina Faso’s agricultural investment plans and fisheries and aquaculture strategies with the continental Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa (PFRS). The workshop also focuses on addressing the impacts of climate change and incorporating global instruments into national policies.
The five-day workshop features a comprehensive agenda that includes discussions on climate change adaptation in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, and how these can be integrated with national agricultural policies. The event opens with remarks from high-level dignitaries, setting the stage for an in-depth exploration of the PFRS. Experts will present insights into how national policies can be better aligned with this framework, while highlighting opportunities for reform and development in the face of growing environmental challenges.
Throughout the week, participants engage in a series of breakout sessions, focusing on several critical areas. These include the integration of agricultural investment plans with climate adaptation strategies, the domestication of relevant global instruments like international fisheries agreements, and the alignment of Burkina Faso’s policies with the PFRS. Each session will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to exchange ideas, formulate practical recommendations, and ensure that Burkina Faso’s fisheries and aquaculture strategies are in line with continental and global frameworks.
The workshop concludes with plenary sessions, where consultancy reports will be adopted, and key discussions summarized into actionable strategies. The focus will be on developing concrete recommendations that can be implemented to strengthen the country’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors, promoting sustainable growth and resilience to climate impacts.
Participants from a broad range of sectors, including non-governmental organizations, private industry stakeholders, and officials from the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences, are actively involved. Their collective input is critical to ensuring that Burkina Faso’s national strategies are robust and capable of addressing both current and future challenges in the fisheries and aquaculture domains.
Rafik Nouaili, speaking on behalf of Dr. Huyam Salih, Director of AU-IBAR, underscored the importance of the Policy Framework and Reform Strategy (PFRS) in guiding national efforts. He also emphasized the role of the EU-funded FishGov2 initiative in empowering AU member states to pursue sustainable development goals under Agenda 2063. The workshop represents an important step toward realizing these goals, as Burkina Faso aligns its national strategies with the broader vision for fisheries and aquaculture development across Africa.