Egypt reaffirmed its firm commitment to promoting African food security and sustainable fisheries during the first ministerial meeting of the African Union’s Specialized Technical Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture, held at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from October 21 to 24.
The Egyptian delegation was led by Dr. Salah El-Din Moustafa Mesilhy, Chairman of the General Authority for Fish Resources Development, who emphasized Egypt’s pioneering regional role and its longstanding dedication to advancing joint African cooperation in the development and sustainability of fishery resources.
In his address to ministers, member states, and regional organizations, Dr. Mesilhy outlined Egypt’s extensive national efforts to modernize and expand the fisheries sector, highlighting major projects to rehabilitate and develop lakes, improve water quality, and increase national fish production.
He stressed that Egypt follows an integrated approach to sustainability, focusing on the preservation of aquatic and environmental resources while supporting African Union initiatives aimed at achieving food security across the continent.
The meeting discussed key themes including fisheries management, aquaculture development, and intra-African trade in fish products, in alignment with Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Dr. Mesilhy also called for greater exchange of expertise among African countries, particularly in scientific research, capacity building, and value chain development for fish products. Such collaboration, he noted, would directly enhance production efficiency and create new employment opportunities across the continent.
The summit concluded with a set of recommendations and implementation plans designed to strengthen the fisheries and aquaculture sectors in Africa in the coming years — reflecting a collective continental commitment to this vital field for economic growth and food sustainability.
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