FiTI, stakeholders discuss upcoming compliance validation for Mauritania
NOUAKCHOTT, August 24-30, 2024. The FiTI International Secretariat joined the Regional Partnership for the Conservation of the Coastal and Marine Zone in West Africa (PRCM) for a country mission to Mauritania to support the nation’s National Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) in its regular FiTI implementation endeavours and to discuss progress on recommended corrective actions as the country’s second FiTI validation begins.
The FiTI ensures that all countries implementing the initiative apply the same global standard with the same level of quality. This is accomplished through regular validations which assess a country’s level of compliance against the FiTI Standard. The FiTI International Board, the global oversight body of the FiTI, is responsible for country validations.
Between 2018 and 2022, PRCM implemented two phases of a MAVA-funded project that initiated advocacy actions and provided substantial financial and technical support to FiTI target countries, with the aim of promoting the implementation of the FiTI.
These efforts have been successful in Mauritania, which has already undergone its first regular FiTI compliance validation in 2022. The FiTI International Board recognised the nation’s “meaningful progress” in implementing the FiTI Standard, and Mauritania has remained a FiTI Candidate Country since then. However, Mauritania was tasked by the Board with implementing five corrective actions. If properly addressed, these actions will enable the country to progress toward full compliance with the FiTI.
During its 25th meeting in July 2024, the International Board launched the 2nd validation process for Mauritania and determined the validation timeframe from April 2022 until July 2024.
In order to discuss the current implementation status of Mauritania, and in particular the corrective actions issued by the FiTI International Board, the PRCM organised and financed a mission to assess the nation’s progress and support the National MSG in its efforts towards achieving compliant status.
PRCM and the FiTI International Secretariat – represented by Mansor Ndour, FiTI Regional Coordinator for Francophone Africa – held meetings with the National MSG to develop a range of remaining activities to complete the corrective actions.
Mr. Ndour and PRCM also met with HE El Vadil Ould Sidaty, Minister of Fisheries, Maritime and Port Infrastructure (MPIMP), to emphasise the need for sustained support for the National MSG and the FiTI National Secretariat. Minister Sidaty pledged to provide financial support for the operation of the National MSG (based on a workplan) and to engage in the validation process, stating “Our country is committed to transparency and my department will do what is necessary to ensure that Mauritania successfully passes its second validation.”
Mauritania’s second validation is expected to be complete by the beginning of 2025.
