O n Thursday, November 13, 2025, Gabon reached a significant milestone in the implementation of its “Blue Bonds” project. The Minister of the Sea, Fisheries, and Blue Economy, Laurence Ndong, chaired the first ordinary session of the Project Steering Committee (COPIL).

Held over two days, this strategic meeting confirmed the country’s commitment to using this innovative financial mechanism to support marine conservation and sustainable development. Gabon aims to make Blue Bonds an essential driver of its economy.

The session was crucial for establishing the financial foundations for 2026, validating both the strategic guidelines and the State’s priority projects.

The COPIL brought together various institutional and technical stakeholders to ensure a common vision and effective coordination. Participants included: The Sea, Fisheries, and Blue Economy Department of the Presidency of the Republic - The National Sea Council - The National Agency for National Parks (ANPN) - The Nature Conservancy (TNC) - The Gabon Biodiversity Preservation Fund (FPBG).

At the conclusion of the work, two major advances were validated by the Steering Committee: 1. The 2026 Roadmap: Proposed by the Project Management Unit (UGP), it defines the priorities for the coming year in terms of conservation, maritime activities, and economic development. 2. The First Eligible Projects: The COPIL approved the first government projects that will be financed by the Blue Bonds.

These initiatives, scheduled to launch in 2026, will focus on: Sustainable fishing, Responsible aquaculture, The management of marine protected areas.

The approval of these projects demonstrates Gabon’s commitment to transforming its environmental debt into concrete and sustainable investments. In doing so, the country confirms its role as a pioneer in Central Africa in financial innovation serving biodiversity.

L'approbation de ces projets témoigne de la volonté du Gabon de transformer sa dette environnementale en investissements concrets et durables. Ce faisant, le pays confirme son rôle de pionnier en Afrique centrale dans l'innovation financière au service de la biodiversité.