Comoros to validate a first-of-its-kind Sustainable Blue Economy Policy package at a National Workshop in Moroni

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Moroni, Union of the Comoros, Comoros 30 January 2026 – The Government of Comoros convenes national stakeholders and partners to endorse the 2026–2035 Sustainable Blue Economy Policy and Integrated Policy Framework under the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration SIDS Flagship Restoration Programme.

A first-of-its-kind blueprint for Comoros and the world.

Across the globe, the sustainable blue economy transition is increasingly recognised as a job creator and a driver of food security and resilience, when it is supported by ocean governance, sustainable finance, and technology. Comoros is embracing that reality with a bold transitiontowards a sustainable blue economy.

At the heart of this transition is a simple but powerful idea: Comoros can build prosperity by regenerating its marine natural capital, rather than depleting it, so that growth becomes more resilient, more inclusive, and more durable. This is the logic behind the new policy package, supported by the United Nations Environment Programme, FAO, and GRID-Arendal, and it is why it is being positioned as first-of-its-kind for Comoros, and in the world.

National institutions, island authorities, communities, the private sector and development partners will convene in Moroni on Thursday, 29 January for a national validation workshop on two foundational documents for the country’s ocean future: the Sustainable Blue Economy Policy (2026–2035) and the Integrated Policy Framework for Comoros’ Sustainable Blue Economy. This package represents a step-change in how Comoros will manage and grow its ocean economy. Rather than isolated sector plans, the package establishes a single, coherent system to guide how Comoros will plan, regulate, invest, and monitor the use of marine and coastal resources, linking economic development on land and sea with ecosystem integrity and climate resilience.

Key innovations include:

• A national integrated vision for sustainable blue development across fisheries, tourism, ports and maritime transport, waste and pollution management, ecosystem protection and restoration, renewable energy, and innovation-driven industries.

• COMOROS BLUE SEA guiding principles, emphasising climate resilience and nature-based solutions, local ownership, participatory approaches and subsidiarity, value addition and market development, open data and digitalisation, rule of law and regulatory certainty, inclusion of women and youth, and transparency and accountability.

• A multi-level governance architecture designed for a Union of islands, including a proposed National Sustainable Blue Economy Council and Island-level Sustainable Blue Economy Committees to translate national priorities into island-specific action plansacross Grande Comore, Anjouan, and Mohéli.

• Implementation instruments to reduce conflict and increase investment readiness, including marine spatial planning, integrated coastal zone management, stronger safeguards and assessment tools, and a Sustainable Blue Economy Observatory and monitoring system.

• A sustainable blue finance architecture, including the establishment of a dedicated funding vehicle to pool and channel resources toward high-impact, bankable initiatives.

Built through island consultations and national technical review

The documents reflect extensive consultations held across the three islands and structured technical review through a national reading committee. This approach ensures that the policy package is both locally-led and technically implementable.

Workshop programme highlights

The workshop will include:

• Opening remarks by Government leadership:

o Ministre de l’environnement chargé du Tourisme, S.E. Mr Aboubakar Ben Mahamoud

o Secrétaire général du MET, Mr Abdourahamani Ali;

• An address by UNEP SIDS Flagship Restoration Coordinator, Georgina A Avlonitis;

• Presentation of the revised national Sustainable Blue Economy strategy by Dr. Karen Martinez-Swatson and Mr. Romain Langeard, GRID-Arendal;

• Technical discussions and stakeholder exchanges;

• Synthesis of conclusions and validation of the Sustainable Blue Economy Policy at the national level.

Faissoil Mhadji, Comoros SIDS Flagship Restoration Comoros National Coordinator, noted:

“Our priority is to ensure that we as a country, our youth, and women benefit from our natural resources, while caring for and sustainably managing them. This Policy allows us to create this national vision. We look forward to continued support in implementing it.”

Natalie Mangondo, Sustainable Finance for Nature Lead, GRID-Arendal, said:

“The National SBE Policy Package is intended to act as a living document, that is flexible to changing internal and external factors. Comoros is ready to transition towards a sustainable blue economy and requires the government, ecosystem stewards, communities, donors, the private sector, and all those who are willing to collaborate and provide the mix of financial and non-financial measures required to successfully implement each action. This Policy Package allows Comoros to move from policy to implementation and financing.”

Contact

Natalie Mangondo, GRID-Arendal

Release date: 30 Jan 2026