Organisers:

African confederation of artisanal fisheries organisations (CAOPA), Sustainable Ocean Alliance, Coastal Women in Fisheries Entrepreneurship, Afrifish-net, FAO, AU IBAR, AUDA-NEPAD.

Short description:

Small-scale fisheries provide a livelihood for millions of people and play a central role in food security, local economies and cultural identity. Young people are turning away from fishing due to limited access to decent jobs, funding, training and decision-making bodies. Young women face even greater structural barriers, despite their vital role in post-harvest value chains.

This side event will highlight the need for an initiative to position young people – particularly young women – as drivers of sustainable, inclusive and climate-resilient transformation in small-scale fisheries.

Through first-hand accounts from young fishermen and women, the event will demonstrate how youth-led innovation, entrepreneurship and community management contribute to sustainable resource management, climate adaptation and the resilience of local food systems.

At this co-organised event, CAOPA and the Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) will present

proposals for strengthened commitments to youth inclusion, gender equality, decent work

and climate resilience in African small-scale fisheries.