NRF-SAEON Egagasini Node showcases ocean science diplomacy at Nairobi Convention COP 12

The NRF-SAEON Egagasini Node, represented by Ms Nicole du Plessis, Science Officer and Ms Melissa Philander, Research Assistant, attended the 12th Conference of the Parties to the Nairobi Convention, held in conjunction with the Convention’s 40th anniversary commemoration. The Node hosted a side event and a joint exhibition stand with the South African Network for Women in Fisheries and Aquaculture (SANWFA), positioning ocean science as a practical contributor to inclusive blue economy development.

The side event, “Empowering Women and Youth as Ocean Leaders: Untangling the environmental investment challenges in small-scale fisheries and aquaculture,” took place on 6 October. Ms Janeth Rukanda, Acting Assistant Director for Aquaculture Development in Tanzania’s Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, opened the session with an overview of how the Tanzanian government supports the sectors. A panel discussion followed, moderated by Ms du Plessis, examining whether environmental data can help de-risk small businesses in the eyes of funders, and whether the sector needs such data. Panellists were Ms Meali Mohamed Maule, Vanga Blue Forest, Kenya; Ms Mashebane Thosago, SANWFA; and Dr Jessica Fraser, Nelson Mandela University. The next step is to take the discussion to the banking, insurance and investment sectors.

The joint exhibition stand, staffed by NRF-SAEON together with Ms Thosago and Ms Salome Mathobela of SANWFA, attracted high-level visitors. The Vice-President of Tanzania, Honourable Deogratius Ndejembi, visited the stand, where Ms Philander presented SAEON’s work and the SANWFA partnership within a two-minute window. The South African Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Mr Narend Singh, also visited.

These engagements form part of the Node’s ocean science diplomacy work, which supports the commitments to international science cooperation in the DSTI White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation (2019) and the continental ambitions of the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa 2034 (STISA-2034). Presenting South African ocean science alongside community-based partners shows how national investment in observation infrastructure translates into regional partnerships and policy dialogue.

NRF-SAEON gratefully acknowledges the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) for its support in hosting the side event and exhibition.