In recognition of Former President Michel’s dedication and outstanding contributions to the field of ocean conservation and the blue economy, as well as unwavering support of the Great Blue Wall Initiative, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa has appointed Michel as a High Level Champion of the Great Blue Wall.

This appointment was announced at the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 16 CBD) held from 21 October to 1 November 2024 in Cali, Republic of Colombia, and at the 29th meeting of the United Nations Climate Change Conference held from 11 to 22 November 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

“As a pioneering voice in the popularisation of the concept of the Blue Economy and ocean-based solutions to climate and biodiversity crises, your invaluable advocacy for the sustainable development of our oceans and coastal regions is widely recognised, and led to a clear awareness of the role that they could play in the transformation of the economies of Africa's island and coastal states as well as our responsibility to protect and restore our marine ecosystems. Your vision for the oceans has catalysed the establishment of the Great Blue Wall initiative, and we remain deeply grateful for the unwavering support”, says Mr. Luther Bois Anukur, Regional Director of International Union for Conservation of Nature and Mr. Nassim Oulmane, Ag. Director of Technology, Climate Change, Natural Resource Management for the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

Responding to the invitation and appointment, Former President Michel has expressed his gratitude, as well as his delight with all that has materialised since its launch in 2021 at the World Conservation Congress.

"I look forward to the inevitable full scale progress of the initiative. This seascape network will not only connect us by a ‘living blue wall that acts as a regional ecological corridor created by conserved and restored blue ecosystems’, but also by a global gateway aimed at rebuilding and strengthening relationships between people and nature", says Michel.

To learn more about the Great Blue Wall Initiative, click here.

ABOUT IUCN: The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations, and the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it. IUCN provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge, tools and projects that enable societies, economies and nature to thrive together. These include data, assessments and analysis, trusted standards, neutral convening fora, and capacity-building resources.

ABOUT UNECA: A commission established by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations (UN) in 1958 as one of the UN's five regional commissions. It is made up of 54 member States, and plays a dual role as a regional arm of the UN and as a key component of the African institutional landscape It is well positioned to make unique contributions to address the Continent’s development challenges and also provides technical advisory services to African governments, intergovernmental organizations and institutions. In addition, it formulates and promotes development assistance programmes and acts as the executing agency for relevant operational projects.

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