Activities

Rabat, April 20, 2026

As part of the official visit of a delegation from the Republic of Guinea, led by Mr. Fassou THEA, Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Economy, The current President of ATLAFCO, to the Kingdom of Morocco from April 20 to 23, 2026, a visit to the headquarters of the Executive Secretariat took place on the afternoon of Monday, April 20.

During this meeting, attended by staff members, the President reaffirmed the commitment of the Republic of Guinea, during its current term as Acting President of the Organization, to further strengthen fisheries cooperation among member states and enhance their capacities in the fisheries value chain.

He also expressed his determination to energize and strengthen the actions already undertaken within the Organization under its 2025–2027 strategic action plan.

During this working session, the President outlined the Kounki Project, an ambitious USD 128 million program aimed at improving the livelihoods of coastal communities in the Republic of Guinea while strengthening their resilience to the effects of climate change.

Signed on June 9, 2025, within the framework of the United Nations Ocean Conference (@UNOC), this ambitious project is part of the Vision 2040 for an emerging and prosperous Guinea, led by His Excellency the President of the Republic, through the implementation of 122 flagship projects.

The Kounki Project, focused on the fisheries sector and supported by several international development institutions, is structured around three key components:

• Sustainable fisheries management through management plans, applied research, and institutional strengthening of the Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy (MPEM);
• Improvement of value chains, with modernized infrastructure for artisanal fisheries and the development of aquaculture hubs in several regions;
• Creation of economic opportunities, particularly through improved access to credit and diversification of local economic activities.

With 4.5% of national GDP and more than 238,000 direct jobs, the fisheries sector is a major pillar of Guinea’s economy, yet it is threatened by the effects of climate change, as is the case for many coastal states.

The Kounki Project also aims to modernize fishing practices and develop aquaculture to address these challenges. It further contributes to Guinea’s international commitments in ocean governance, actively anchoring the country’s participation in the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 2025). At the intersection of national priorities and global objectives, Kounki represents an integrated response to climate and maritime challenges.

The President emphasized that this new strategic framework should strengthen his country’s presence in the region, create “regional leadership,” and contribute to the emergence of a blue economy whose positive impacts will extend throughout the ATLAFCO region.

He also highlighted the role that ATLAFCO must continue to play in supporting its member states in fisheries research, maritime training, maritime surveillance, sustainable aquaculture development, value addition of seafood products, strengthening landing infrastructure for fishing fleets, and technological innovation as key pillars of good fisheries governance and sustainable use of living marine resources.

At the end of this presentation, the President expressed his deep gratitude and appreciation, on his own behalf and on behalf of all member states, to the High Authorities of the Kingdom of Morocco for their continued support to the functioning of this important African intergovernmental organization, enabling it to continue to strongly represent Africa’s voice in ocean diplomacy, ocean sustainability, and food security for the benefit of its member states and the international community.

He concluded the meeting by thanking the OFCF, a partner of ATLAFCO, for its support to the Fisheries Promotion Fund (FPF), and congratulated all staff members of the Executive Secretariat for their daily efforts in implementing the projects included in the 2025–2027 strategic action plan and for their constant commitment alongside member states and the acting presidency of the Organization.