From 27 to 30 April 2026, Nouakchott hosted the 12th edition of the Regional Marine and Coastal Forum (FOMACO). Four days of proceedings, more than 700 participants, a political declaration and several partnership agreements. This year, FOMACO established itself as a pivotal moment for the protection of marine and coastal areas in West Africa. It was in the main hall of the Mokhtar Ould Daddah Congress Palace that FOMACO 2026 drew to a close on 30 April. Over four days, ministers, scientists, representatives of regional organisations, civil society actors and financial partners debated the future of West African marine and coastal ecosystems. In total, more than 700 participants took part in this edition, unanimously described as “historic” by those present.
Held under the high patronage of the President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, His Excellency Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, the Forum was officially opened by Prime Minister El Moctar Ould Djay. In his address, he painted an unambiguous picture of the situation: coastal erosion, sea-level rise, overexploitation of fishery resources, marine pollution, biodiversity loss and illegal fishing were among the threats he explicitly named. “We must build a collective, ambitious and sustainable response,” he declared, calling on States, partners and coastal communities to combine their efforts.
Mahamadou Gado, WAEMU Commissioner, underlined the economic dimension of the challenge. For him, the blue economy represents a major lever of transformation for the sub-region: growth, employment, poverty reduction – all opportunities held within marine resources, provided their exploitation is sustainable.
Messouda Baham Mohamed Laghdaf, Mauritanian Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development, highlighted national progress, citing in particular the creation of the “Baie de l’Étoile” marine protected area as a concrete illustration of the country’s commitment to the conservation of marine ecosystems.
Ahmed Senhoury, Executive Director of PRCM, emphasised the need for a truly inclusive approach. “The degradation of ocean health not only threatens ecological balance. It also jeopardises the economies and populations that depend on it,” he warned, advocating for governance that brings together States, local communities, researchers, civil society and donors.
Throughout the four days of proceedings, the blue economy occupied a central place in discussions. Technical workshops, plenary sessions and side events addressed the sustainable management of marine resources, the development of fisheries value chains, mangrove restoration and the resilience of coastal communities to climate change. Experts, decision-makers and civil society representatives shared experiences and recommendations, with a common objective: to reconcile economic growth, ecosystem preservation and the inclusion of coastal populations.
One of the highlights of this edition was a high-level ministerial roundtable. Around a dozen ministers and government representatives from the sub-region debated the conditions for accelerated implementation of the BBNJ Agreement on biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, and the global 30×30 target, which aims to protect 30% of land and ocean by 2030 under the Kunming-Montreal Framework.
The proceedings culminated in the adoption of the Nouakchott Declaration, a policy document in which West African states affirm their shared commitment to accelerating their efforts regarding marine conservation and sustainable ocean governance.
La question du financement a également occupé une place de choix. Le 28 avril, une table ronde réunissant institutions financières internationales, fondations et partenaires techniques a permis d’explorer les mécanismes de financement innovants susceptibles de soutenir les initiatives environnementales marines en Afrique, avec une attention particulière portée à l’accès des acteurs locaux et communautaires à ces ressources.
Plusieurs annonces à cet effet, ont été faites. La Banque mondiale a lancé le programme WACA+, destiné à renforcer la résilience côtière et la gestion durable du littoral en Afrique de l’Ouest. Le PRCM et la Côte d’Ivoire ont quant à eux signé un accord-cadre officialisant l’adhésion de la Côte d’Ivoire au PRCM.
Un espace d’exposition rassemblant plus d’une vingtaine d’organisations a complété le dispositif, offrant une vitrine aux initiatives locales et régionales en matière de conservation marine, de pêche durable et de sensibilisation environnementale.
La cérémonie de clôture, présidée par la ministre mauritanienne de l’Environnement, a donné lieu à l’adoption d’un document final intitulé « Appel de Nouakchott ». Ce texte synthétise les engagements pris par l’ensemble des acteurs présents, États, organisations régionales, partenaires techniques et société civile, en faveur d’une gouvernance durable des espaces marins et côtiers. Un signal politique fort, à l’heure où la pression sur les océans n’a jamais été aussi intense.
Au-delà des résultats tangibles de cette édition, le FOMACO 2026 aura également confirmé la capacité du PRCM à fédérer, mobiliser et orchestrer un rendez-vous d’une telle envergure, rassemblant en un même lieu des acteurs diversifiés autour d’une cause commune. Cap désormais sur Abidjan en 2028 pour la 13e édition du Forum.