U.S. fosters collaboration with Atlantic Nations, Nigeria

In a significant international development, the United States has conveyed its eagerness to engage in cooperative endeavors with Nigeria and other nations within the Atlantic Ocean region.

The objective of this collaboration is to realize the substantial economic opportunities presented by the Atlantic Ocean.

Ambassador Jessye Lapenn, the Senior Coordinator for Atlantic Cooperation at the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, spoke to a select group of journalists in Abuja on Tuesday evening.

Her visit to Nigeria was aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the United States and Nigeria, particularly in the domains of Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs.

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Ambassador Lapenn emphasized the readiness of her government to allocate resources and deploy equipment to ensure the security and stability of the Atlantic Ocean and its surrounding areas.

Addressing the persistent challenges of piracy and insecurity plaguing the Atlantic Ocean, Ambassador Lapenn expressed optimism that concerted efforts among the member countries of the Atlantic Ocean Treaty would soon consign these issues to the annals of history.

She underscored the commitment of these nations to promoting peace and fostering the growth of commercial activities within the Atlantic Ocean.

During her visit, Ambassador Lapenn had the privilege of meeting key stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime industry, highlighting the significance of Nigeria’s establishment of a dedicated ministry to oversee its blue economy initiatives.

Recently, a Declaration on Atlantic Cooperation was adopted by thirty-two coastal Atlantic countries spanning four continents. This declaration marked the launch of the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

This multilateral forum brought together an unprecedented number of coastal Atlantic countries from Africa, Europe, North America, South America, and the Caribbean.

The partnership, which encompasses both the North and South Atlantic, addresses a wide spectrum of issues, including economic development, environmental preservation, science, and technology. Notably, it is the first time that such a comprehensive forum has been established for Atlantic countries to engage in regular cooperation and establish shared principles, including a commitment to maintaining an open Atlantic free from interference, coercion, or aggressive actions.

This landmark Declaration builds upon the Joint Statement on Atlantic Cooperation from the previous year, marking a significant milestone in diplomatic efforts by the White House and the State Department.

Coastal Atlantic countries share interconnected interests in the Atlantic Ocean, which boasts the world’s busiest trade routes and significant global energy reserves.

The World Bank has estimated that the ocean contributes a staggering $1.5 trillion annually to the global economy, a figure projected to double by 2030.

Moreover, sustainable ocean economy sectors are poised to create nearly 50 million jobs in Africa and contribute $21 billion to Latin American GDP.

However, challenges such as illegal fishing, natural disasters, and illicit trafficking threaten this vital economy, underscoring the necessity for collaborative solutions.

Recognizing that no single nation can unilaterally address the complex transboundary challenges in the Atlantic region or fully exploit its economic opportunities, the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation emerges as a pivotal platform for deeper regional collaboration.

This initiative aspires to foster stronger connections among Atlantic countries across four continents, with a dual purpose: to facilitate expanded cooperation on shared objectives and uphold a set of collective principles for Atlantic cooperation.

The Partnership is poised to provide member countries with a fresh platform for collaboration on issues including science and technology, sustainable ocean economy development, and climate change mitigation.

Participating nations have also endorsed a Plan of Action outlining the initial phase of the Partnership’s work, encompassing scientific collaboration, shared research initiatives, information sharing, maritime awareness, and the development of a cadre of young Atlantic scientists.

The Partnership will convene regularly and establish working groups to carry out its mandate, striving to collaborate with and build upon existing regional initiatives.

Notably, the participating countries in this transformative initiative include Angola, Argentina, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Canada, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Iceland, Ireland, Liberia, Mauritania, Morocco, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Portugal, the Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Spain, Togo, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Uruguay.