Apia, Samoa – Enhancing women’s capacities, and developing more effective gender equality platforms as part of Blue Economy strategies are key in its success.

This was further explored during a policy dialogue held at the National University of Samoa (NUS) today.
The Blue Economy refers to a wide range of economic activities including fisheries and aquaculture, marine protected areas, ports and shipping, coastal infrastructure development, renewable energy, and marine tourism, among others.

Co-hosted by NUS and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the policy dialogue aims to provide a discussion space for the exchange of experiences on leveraging sustainable Blue Economy strategies for gender equality.

"The 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent signifies a shift in mindset towards our sea of islands, emphasizing the importance of ocean resources to our region's well-being. By promoting gender equality in the Blue Economy, we can empower women to participate, supporting a sustainable and balanced Blue Pacific," said Professor Tuifuisa’a Patila Amosa, NUS Vice-Chancellor and President.

The policy dialogue provided an opportunity to draw on the experience of stakeholders that engage in Blue Economy activities across Samoa and the region to identify best practices, gaps, challenges, opportunities, and lessons learned in engaging women and girls and striving towards gender equality in the blue realm in the Pacific.

The dialogue also provided a space for participants to generate recommendations for promoting and striving towards gender equality as part of the sustainable Blue Economy strategies.

“The Blue Economy offers a wealth of opportunities for furthering gender equality by recognizing the traditional role women played in maintaining a harmonious relationship with the ocean, sustainable culture and harvesting of coastal reef marine resources; and by supporting youth and women employment and entrepreneurship skills development, to make the most of the economic and livelihood potential while preserving and restoring ocean health,” said Kanni Wignaraja, UNDP Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific.

A summary report of the dialogue will be produced and shared publicly.

A Memorandum of Understanding between NUS and UNDP was also signed at the completion of the policy dialogue. The MOU provides a framework of cooperation, and facilitates and strengthens collaboration between the two organisations, deepening policy advocacy to enhance public discourse on topical issues and impact the development agenda through policy dialogues, leaving no one behind and ensuring equity and fairness.