The importance of safeguarding the oceans and promoting the blue economy for sustainable development, food security, and climate resilience, particularly in Africa, which is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Closer cooperation between Africa and Europe in ocean governance could strengthen their partnership. The recent global High Seas Treaty demonstrates a shift towards conservation and cooperation to protect the interconnected ecosystem of the oceans.

While African countries have shown enthusiasm for ocean governance and the blue economy, there are barriers to cooperation. These include discrepancies between stated interests and illegal fishing practices, harmful fisheries subsidies, lack of transparency, and asymmetry in maritime governance. The EU's fishing activities in African waters have sometimes been implicated in illegal fishing, affecting local communities. The partnership also challenges balancing long-term sustainability goals with short-term business interests.

To overcome these obstacles and achieve a meaningful cross-continental partnership, Africa and Europe must share responsibilities and benefits, address institutional challenges, ensure transparency, and focus on a blue future that brings prosperity to all. The blue economy should be more prominent in the existing partnership between the African Union and the European Union, as it offers avenues for economic growth, climate resilience, and poverty alleviation.

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