MONROVIA – Liberia has officially opened the 8th Annual Conference of the Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA), marking the first time the country is hosting such a major continental maritime gathering.
Welcoming delegates at the event, Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe, Sr., Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Liberia Maritime Authority, described the occasion as historic, noting that Liberia’s long-standing leadership in global shipping makes the hosting of the conference a proud moment for the nation.
“Despite our longstanding history in shipping and global maritime governance and leadership, this is the first time Liberia is hosting the annual meeting of a major regional or continental maritime organization,” Cllr. Lighe said. “This speaks to how proud we are to have you visiting us in Liberia, and we are confident that your expertise and experience will greatly enrich the discussions and deliberations over the coming days.”
Cllr. Lighe underscored that Africa’s maritime sector is currently confronted with multiple challenges, ranging from piracy and geopolitical tensions to infrastructure gaps and environmental concerns. He stressed that these issues cut across borders and require joint action.
“They are shared challenges and addressing them requires us to pool together our resources, expertise and knowledge. AAMA provides the institutional framework for collaboration and cooperation in tackling our shared challenges as a continent and establishing Africa as an enviable maritime powerhouse,” he emphasized.
The Maritime Commissioner further revealed that Liberia is implementing a five-year strategic plan aimed at transforming the country’s maritime industry into a driver of economic growth. He explained that the plan seeks to expand new business opportunities such as ship demolition, seafaring, bunkering, eco-tourism, and the domestic maritime trade, while prioritizing safety and security of seaports and territorial waters.
“We are graciously embracing the evolving trend and positioning ourselves to meaningfully drive economic growth in Liberia,” he said, adding that the authority looks forward to partnerships with the private sector through public-private initiatives.
Cllr. Lighe also highlighted the importance of Africa’s “blue economy,” which he described as holding immense potential for sustainable development, food security, job creation, renewable energy, and climate resilience. He cautioned, however, that challenges such as illegal fishing, low investment, and limited capacity must be tackled if the sector is to thrive.
“The African Union has set the roadmap for exploiting the potential of Africa’s blue economy sector through the Africa Blue Economy Strategy,” Lighe noted. “Because the blue economy is still evolving, many African countries are still determining the appropriate institutional structure for exploring its opportunities. These differences in approach highlight the need for continental collaboration and coordination if Africa is to adequately harness its blue economy potential.”
He called on AAMA, the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), and other regional entities to deepen their collaboration with the African Union on maritime transport, saying such efforts were crucial and urgent.
Closing his remarks, the Commissioner extended warm Liberian hospitality to visiting delegates, urging them to enjoy the culture and people of Liberia during their stay.
