23 September 2010: Hosted by the African Union (AU) and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), the first Conference of African Ministers of Fisheries and Aquaculture (CAMFA) took place in Banjul, The Gambia, from 20-23 September 2010, under the theme “African Fisheries and Aquaculture: Contributing towards Agricultural Development and Economic Growth.”

The Conference brought together ministers, experts and development partners who reaffirmed the role of fisheries and aquaculture in achieving the 6% annual growth of the wider agricultural sector as envisaged by the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Programme (CAADP). They called for putting in place robust strategies and policies to tackle illegal and unreported activities in Africa’s waters.

They called on member States and the AU to constitute fish expert pools to urgently engage in national CAADP processes. Participants also underscored the need to strengthen the policy coherence in national fisheries sector regarding CAADP in order to enhance the role of fish in food security, poverty alleviation and trade development. Keynote speakers at the event included: Sheikh Alhaji Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh, President of The Gambia, whose message was read on his behalf by the Vice President, Ajaratou Isatou Nüe-Saidy; Elizabeth Tankeu, Commissioner for Trade and Industry of the AU Commission (AUC); Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, Chief Executive Officer NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency, whose statement was read on his behalf by Sloans Chimatiro, Senior Fisheries Advisor, NEPAD Agency; and Jacques Diouf, Director General of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), whose statement was read on his behalf by Musa Saihou Mbenga, Deputy Regional Representative for Africa/Sub-Regional Coordinator for West Africa. [AU Website] [Conference Brochure]