From July 25 to 26, the China-Africa Marine Science and Blue Economy Cooperation Seminar, hosted by the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Natural Resources of the People’s Republic of China (State Oceanic Administration) and the African and Neighboring Island Countries Subcommittee (“African Subcommittee”) of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (“IOC-UNESCO”), organized by the SIO and the China Oceanic Development Foundation, was held in Hangzhou. During this period, the China-Africa Marine Science and Blue Economy Cooperation Center (the “Cooperation Center”) was established.

Wang Hong, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Director of the State Oceanic Administration, Xu Wenguang, Executive Vice Governor of Zhejiang Province, Professor Amr Zakria Hamouda, Vice Chairman of the IOC-UNESCO and Chairman of the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries of Egypt, Professor Kouadio Affian, Chairman of the African Subcommittee of the IOC-UNESCO, and the Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries of Zanzibar, Tanzania attended the seminar and unveiled the establishment of the Cooperation Center. More than 100 people, including representatives from 14 African countries such as Egypt, Mozambique, Kenya, Seychelles, Tanzania, Cote d'Ivoire, South Africa and Madagascar, and multiple international organizations, as well as heads of Chinese marine management departments, research institutions and universities, as well as experts and scholars, participated in the seminar.

At the seminar, Director Fang Yinxia, on behalf of the SIO, signed a tripartite agreement on co-construction of the China-Africa Marine Science and Blue Economy Cooperation Center with the African Subcommittee of the IOC-UNESCO and the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries of Egypt. The establishment of the Cooperation Center is a practical measure to implement the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Dakar Action Plan (2022-2024) and build a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era, and is of great significance for deepening China-Africa marine science cooperation and technological innovation, and promoting sustainable development of blue economy.

Wang Hong proposed suggestions on the future construction and development of the Cooperation Center: First, to build the Cooperation Center as a booster to promote the high-quality development of the blue economy, share China’s marine economy development experience, and explore the blue economy development model suitable for the national conditions; Second, to build the Cooperation Center as a new engine for innovative development of marine science and technology, strengthen the connection between the China Action Framework for the “Ocean Decade” and the Africa Road Map for the “Ocean Decade”, provide solutions, public platforms and policy recommendations for basic marine scientific issues; Third, to build the Cooperation Center into a new base for training Chinese and African marine science and technology talents, playing an important role in training of Chinese and African marine talents.

Xu Wenguang introduced the achievements made by Zhejiang in building a strong marine economy province and implementing the leading action of revitalizing the sea by science and technology, and especially showed outstanding achievements of Zhejiang in cultural and educational exchanges, economic and trade cooperation and joint efforts to fight against the epidemic between China and Africa. He hoped that Zhejiang and Africa will continue to carry out practical cooperation in such areas as blue economy development, marine science and technology innovation, green development in the future.

At the seminar, Chen Danhong, Director of the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Natural Resources, read the Hangzhou Declaration on Jointly Building the China-Africa Marine Science and Blue Economy Cooperation Center. Director Fang Yinxia and Professor Susan Elgrabawi, Vice Chairman of the African Subcommittee of the IOC-UNESCO and Director of the Marine Geology Department of the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries of Egypt, delivered keynote speeches at the seminar, introducing the construction plan of the Cooperation Center and the prospects for ocean cooperation between the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries of Egypt and China.

It is learned that this seminar was held in the context of the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. Over the past decade, China has always closely linked its own development with the development of Africa’s marine career and conducted fruitful cooperation. The two sides signed cooperation documents to form a blue partnership; jointly build ocean observation stations and laboratories, carry out cooperation in the application of ocean satellite remote sensing technology, and strengthen research on addressing climate and ecological environment changes; implement joint investigation projects to jointly study scientific issues on the continental shelf; carry out cooperation in ocean space and economic planning to support the development of the blue economy; strengthen capacity building, jointly train young students, and enhance marine scientific research capabilities.

On the 26th, representatives of the African side attending the seminar came to the SIO for research and visited the State Key Laboratory of Satellite Ocean Environment Dynamics, the Key Laboratory of Submarine Geosciences, MNR, and the Key Laboratory of Marine Ecosystem Dynamics, MNR, further deepening their understanding of the SIO.