G20 Provincial Launch in the Eastern Cape as part of South Africa gearing up to host the G20 Summit for 2025

29 April 2024

Honourable minister/s, premier, mayor, esteemed guests, and distinguished delegates,

It is a great privilege to provide a message of support for this important event that addresses a matter of growing global urgency and opportunity and deeply relevant for South Africa - the ocean economy and the pivotal role the G20 can play in shaping its sustainable future.

I would like to extend my appreciation to the Honourable Minister of Small Business Development Ms Stella Tembisa Ndabeni, for the invitation to participate at this G20 Provincial Launch in the Eastern Cape as part of South Africa gearing up to host the G20 summit for 2025. It is good to be here and the Algoa Bay visit this morning was most insightful.

Minister Dion George sends his sincere apologies for being unable to attend this important G20 Outreach Programme. He is currently on-site, conducting physical inspections at various harbours along our coastline and engaging with communities, businesses, and other stakeholders who rely on these harbours for their livelihoods, commerce, and tourism. The minister fully aligns himself with the primary objectives of this programme, which are to ensure that our vast marine resources and wealth are enjoyed sustainably by all South Africans into perpetuity.

As this is a provincial G20 event focusing on the oceans economy under the theme "The oceans economy: South Africa's next gold mine," as well as the township and rural economy, the minister looks forward to the resolutions and discussions that will emerge from this event. He hopes these will further explore and strengthen partnerships between the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), through the DFFE Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and our G20 partners, focusing on impactful and targeted initiatives in the oceans economy. The minister emphasises how funding for the EPWP and similar employment and skills incubator projects can significantly help reduce the triple challenges of poverty, inequality, and unemployment in South Africa and drive economic growth.

At the same time of these triple challenges, there is environmental degradation and our vast ocean resource faces unprecedented threats such as pollution and the accelerating impacts of climate change. These are not challenges we face alone - they are shared across borders, and they require global and collective solutions and partnerships.

As a collective of the world's leading economies - representing around 85% of global GDP and 75% of global trade - we are uniquely positioned to lead by example and drive global action. Cooperation is essential to ensuring that the ocean remains a source of life and prosperity for generations to come.

The ocean covers more than 70% of our planet and supports the livelihoods of over three billion people across the globe. The oceans economy comprises key sectors such as fisheries and aquaculture and marine transport and manufacturing to tourism and offshore oil and gas, and the ocean economy contributes trillions of dollars annually to global GDP. The ocean is also central to South Africa's economy and many communities in our country. It is estimated in South Africa that around 40% of the population lives within 60km of the coast. 

Our oceans are a source of immense opportunity—supporting jobs, food security, trade, and energy. This was recognised in 2014 with the government launching the Operation Phakisa Oceans Economy Programme. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) is responsible for the Oceans Economy Secretariat for the Oceans Economy (Operation Phakisa) initiative and for the coordination and facilitation of the implementation oceans economy initiatives together with the DPME in the Presidency.  The programme entails the unlocking of economic opportunities in South Africa's oceans to contribute to gross domestic product (GDP) growth and contribute to the much-needed employment creation.

The ocean economy, or "blue economy," is a cornerstone of the vision to unlock opportunities in the oceans economy under Operation Phakisa, which has already shown the potential to unlock billions of rands and create hundreds of thousands of jobs in sectors like aquaculture, marine transport and manufacturing, coastal and marine tourism, offshore oil and gas, small harbour development and marine protection and ocean governance.

Building on this the foundation laid, and in recognition that there is more that is needed to unlock socio-economic opportunities in the oceans economy, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, together with sector departments (Department of Transport and Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources), is developing and finalising the Oceans Economy Master Plan. The purpose is to increase the ocean economy contribution to job creation, GDP, economic recovery and potential growth focusing on particular sub-sectors.

The Eastern Cape, endowed with an extensive coastline and strategically situated ports, holds a pivotal position in South Africa's ocean economy. The Eastern Cape province is commended for its ongoing efforts across various sectors, with various role players and stakeholders in focusing on developing its ocean economy, recognising its potential for economic growth and job creation. The initial Eastern Cape Oceans Economy Master Plan was developed in partnership with the Department of Environment, Fisheries and Forestry and Nelson Mandela University. The province has taken the next steps to developing a strategic roadmap and updating its master plan for its ocean economy, focusing on sectors like marine manufacturing, tourism and aquaculture and fisheries. In support, DFFE will continue to ensure a well-managed fisheries and aquaculture sector that sustains and improves economic growth and development. Currently there are 71 registered small-scale co-operatives in the Eastern Cape and initiatives in the aquaculture sector such as the aquaculture development zone in Algoa Bay and abalone ranching near East London, amongst other.

It is clear that the oceans economy has significant development potential in South Africa. The ocean economy is also a vital part of global sustainable development. The G20 plays a key role in promoting sustainable ocean governance, combating marine pollution, supporting blue economy initiatives, and addressing climate-related impacts on marine ecosystems. By leveraging our collective influence, G20 nations can drive international collaboration and investment toward a healthy, resilient, and inclusive ocean economy.

Fishing for Freedom is a priority of the DFFE for the next five years to connect local communities to the oceans economy while promoting marine conservation. This initiative embodies the department's dedication to creating a balanced approach where economic empowerment and environmental stewardship go hand in hand. It is important to focus on unlocking the economic potential of South Africa's oceans while ensuring the health of marine ecosystems. One of the priorities of the G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group is oceans and coasts with the sub-priority: marine spatial planning – ocean governance. Marine spatial planning (MSP) offers an integrated approach to improving the rational planning, management and governance of the ocean space and marine resources.  The aim is to enable an impactful and lasting sustainable blue/ocean economy transition that delivers global and national policy goals related to among othersbiodiversity protection, climate resilience, equity, sustainable consumption and production applying the circular economy approach.

South Africa's Ocean20 Programme, a social track of the G20, co-convened by NRF-SAEON and the United Nations Global Compact, focused on advancing ocean sustainability and inclusive economic growth will provide a valuable platform for formulating tangible actions on ocean health, sustainability, and the future of an inclusive sustainable ocean economy.

As we look ahead, let us make use of these engagements for positive impact and carry forward the spirit of collaboration that defines the G20 and support the theme of promoting an inclusive and sustainable oceans economy.

Thank you.