São Tomé and Príncipe prepares for first FiTI Report

SÃO TOMÉ, August 19 – 31st. São Tomé and Príncipe‘s National Multi Stakeholder Group (MSG) launched the drafting of the country’s first FiTI Report at a recent seminar to inform representatives from government, industry and civil society about the fisheries sector’s progress in implementing the FiTI Standard. The National MSG has been working cooperatively with the fisheries sector to collect and organise data about the nation’s fisheries since becoming a FiTI Candidate Country in December 2023.

The seminar – held in the auditorium of the Brazilian Embassy in São Tomé – was chaired by the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries, in the presence of the Ministers of Economy and Environment, and the National Focal Point, João Pessoa Lima. Around 50 people attended the event, including representatives from national and international civil society organisations; the public and private sectors; development partners including the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Bank West Africa Coastal Areas Management Program (WACA); the Portuguese and Brazilian Embassies; all media organisations in São Tomé; and the FiTI Regional Coordinator for Lusophone Africa, on behalf of the FiTI International Secretariat.

At the opening ceremony, the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries Mr Abel Bom Jesus stressed the voluntary nature of joining the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI), stating that he believes it is through participatory governance – with all those involved in the sector taking joint responsibility for progress and challenges – that the country can transform the country’s fisheries into a sector that produces wealth, rather than one that reproduces poverty.

A leading entrepreneur and well-known social activist, Minister Jesus reminded the audience that transparency, truthful data, collaboration and the sharing of responsibilities between partners is the only way to build sustainability in fisheries and ocean management. He challenged all partners to work hard on this first FiTI Report so that it reflects the reality of the country now, so they can commit to making São Tomé and Príncipe’s fisheries management increasingly better, transparent and participatory for future generations.

As part of the FiTI’s country mission to São Tomé and Príncipe, FiTI Senior Advisor Strategic Partnerships & Lusophone Africa Dr Sara Lopes and FiTI Information Analyst Dr Hiliana Silva also held a training session for the National Focal Point, the members of the National Multi Stakeholder Group and the FiTI National Secretariat to help prepare them to lead the process of drafting the FiTI Report and meet their responsibility of implementing the FiTI Standard in São Tomé and Príncipe.

The FiTI International Secretariat also held meetings with the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries, the UNDP Resident Representative, representatives from the World Bank WACA Project, the UN FAO Programme Assistant, the Embassies of Brazil and Portugal, the Federation of Non-Governmental Organisations of São Tomé and Príncipe, Oikos and Programa Tatô to discuss building partnerships and mobilising resources to support São Tomé and Príncipe as the country works to improve transparency and governance of its marine fisheries management.

This mission was part of the regular activities of the FiTI Senior Advisor Strategic Partnerships & Lusophone Africa.