Under this framework, the African SIDS Blue Economy Project (implemented by GWPSA) and the PROCARIBE+ Project (implemented by UNOPS) have been formally twinned to strengthen mutual learning and build capacity for sustainable and inclusive Blue Economy development in both the African and Caribbean SIDS regions.
The Africa SIDS Project is financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and led by UNDP as the GEF Implementing Agency, in partnership with GWPSA as the Executing Agency, while the African Union Commission is the focal custodian of the project implementation. It is being implemented in Cabo Verde, Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritius, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Seychelles.
“This project explores how Africa can advance a sustainable blue economy for its small island developing states, which face unique and urgent challenges, especially under climate change. As part of this work, we’ve been learning from and sharing experiences with the PROCARIBE+ project at both national and project levels,” said Ms. Shamiso Kumbirai, Project Coordinator, African SIDS Project.
As part of the activities under the exchange, the African SIDS Project participated in the 78th Annual Meeting of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI) in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, from 27–31 October 2025, which brought together scientists, fishers, policymakers, and international organisations to advance collaborative ocean solutions. The PROCARIBE+ Project co-hosted the 78th Annual Meeting of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute, together with IOCaribe and other key partners from the Caribbean Region.
The event provided an important learning and networking opportunity for the African SIDS Project, as stakeholders shared experiences and knowledge on fisheries and marine science, exchanged knowledge, discussed shared challenges, and explored solutions to protect marine resources.
On 30 October 2025, the project attended a parallel session for the first Regional Partnership Forum, “Our Sea - Our Source - Our Future,” which was convened by the Secretariat of the Wider Caribbean Ocean Coordination Mechanism and its contributing partners. The Forum provided an opportunity to explore and facilitate regional and global stakeholder engagement in line with the concept of integrated and interactive ocean governance. It facilitated discussions on how the ocean stakeholders and practitioners’ community can jointly and collaboratively advance the regional ocean agenda, while reducing the existing fragmentation of efforts.
In Belize, the Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation and the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE) hosted the two projects from 2 - 4 November 2025.
“The Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation is responsible for sustainable development of our blue economy, and Belize is a part of our PROCARIBE+ Project, with the Ministry being the lead entity in Belize. During this exchange, our partners from the African Union, GEF, and the African SIDS Project have learnt some best practices in blue economy development and marine spatial planning,” said Andria Grinage, Senior Blue Economy Officer at the Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation in Belize
During the exchange, participants visited activities happening on the ground in the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve, learning how TIDE co-manages the Marine Reserve and its work on establishing Fishery Replenishment Zones (FRZs). Through a small grants programme led by MAR Fund, TIDE is receiving financial support from the PROCARIBE+ Project as part of its efforts to enhance coral reef protection and sustainable fisheries management in the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve.
Ms. Shamiso Kumbirai, Project Coordinator, African SIDS Project (left) and Ms Sonia Gautreau, Senior Project Officer UNDP/GEF PROCARIBE+, during one of the twinning exchange meetings
“The PROCARIBE+ project is financing some efforts in the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve in order to expand and enhance the fisheries replenishment areas through another organisation called the MAR Fund, working in collaboration with TIDE. It was just great to see the really good work that's been going on the ground to try and preserve the reserve and the marine resources and engaging the community as well in this whole Ridge to Reef approach,” explained Sonia Gautreau, Senior Project Officer UNDP/GEF PROCARIBE+.
This twinning initiative helped facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration between PROCARIBE+ and the African SIDS project, aimed at enhancing sustainable and inclusive Blue Economy development.
Participants at the Belize Fisheries
“Visiting Belize has been essential in helping us understand how these initiatives are being implemented on the ground, from government ministries to grassroots organisations, and ultimately, the people who are directly benefiting from them,” explained Ms. Kumbirai.
The specific objectives of the exchange included:
- Exchange knowledge on integrated blue governance models and approaches.
- Learn from the PROCARIBE+ experience in managing marine protected areas and coastal ecosystem services.
- Develop strategies for building resilient communities in SIDS through inclusive economic growth.
- Share lessons on stakeholder engagement and multi-sectoral collaboration to enhance project implementation.