ABER Hails Korea for Training African Experts in Ocean Governance
By Joyce Sunny, FOREIGN DESK –Â The Africa Blue Economy Roundtable (ABER) has applauded the Korean Government for strengthening international cooperation in ocean governance through a specialised maritime training programme involving its members and participants from 30 countries in Yeosu, South Korea.
The programme, co-sponsored by the Korea Maritime Institute (KMI) and the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF), is designed to equip maritime professionals, policymakers and researchers from developing countries with advanced knowledge and practical skills in sustainable ocean resource management.
The Convener and Chairman of ABER, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo, commended the President of KMI and the Korean Minister of Oceans and Fisheries for providing the opportunity for ABER members to participate in the three-week capacity-building programme at the Yeosu Academy of the Law of the Sea.
Kiyaramo described the participation of ABER members as a significant milestone in Africa’s efforts to strengthen its expertise in ocean governance and advance the continent’s blue economy ambitions.
He noted that the training covers critical areas, including smart and environmentally friendly maritime operations, vessel technology, marine spatial planning, ocean energy and sustainable fisheries management.
According to him, the programme aligns with ABER’s commitment to advancing the African Union’s Blue Economy Strategy and Agenda 2063 through the development of a strong network of African experts capable of managing marine resources sustainably.
He further highlighted the potential for the initiative to deepen institutional cooperation between Africa and South Korea through joint research, student exchange programmes and strategic partnerships with KMI, Korea Maritime and Ocean University (KMOU) and other Korean maritime institutions.
Kiyaramo also expressed optimism that the knowledge acquired by participants would support the establishment and strengthening of ABER’s proposed Blue Economy Research Hubs at strategic universities across Africa.
He said the participation of ABER members in the international programme demonstrated Africa’s growing commitment to contributing to global ocean governance and the emerging green shipping industry.
The ABER chairman made the remarks during a virtual exchange with the organisation’s National Coordinator for Cameroon, Engr. Mrs. Orock Joan Afangah, who is participating in the programme.
Afangah disclosed that the training had attracted participants from 30 countries and formed part of the Korean Government’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) initiatives aimed at developing maritime expertise in emerging and developing economies.
The curriculum combines foundational and advanced lectures with workshops, examinations and field trips covering a broad range of international maritime law and ocean governance issues.
Key areas include territorial sea and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) management, fisheries management, continental shelf boundaries, maritime security, freedom of navigation, marine environmental protection and marine scientific research.
Participants are also examining the operations of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), climate change advisory opinions, polar law, Arctic Ocean governance, biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction, submarine cable protection and deep-seabed mineral regulation.
Other subjects include autonomous ships and emerging maritime technologies, maritime law enforcement, overlapping maritime claims, joint development arrangements and disputes in the South China Sea.
The programme also features practical learning activities, including a yachting excursion and a visit to the Korea Coast Guard Training Center.
Participants represent diverse professional backgrounds, including government officials, researchers, ocean policy specialists, university professors and graduate students from developing countries.
Among those attending the training is ABER’s West Africa Regional Facilitator, Captain Noah Isa Amwe.
Congratulating the participants on their representation, Kiyaramo urged them to apply the knowledge and experience gained to strengthen maritime governance, research and sustainable blue economy development across Africa.
