In an Exclusive Interview, Taoufik El Ktiri Discusses His Vision of Putting Listening and Placing the Human at the Heart of Action at ATLAFCO.

On the sidelines of the regional workshop on communication in service of a blue, sustainable, and inclusive economy in Africa, the new Executive Secretary of the Ministerial Conference on Halieutic Cooperation among African States bordering the Atlantic Ocean (ATLAFCO) shed light on his vision for the organization. Taoufik El Ktiri took the opportunity to share his thoughts on the partnership between ATLAFCO and the Media Observatory for Sustainable Fishing in Africa (MOSFA).

You took the reins of ATLAFCO in February 2024. What is your vision for this intergovernmental organization?

Taoufik El Ktiri: I am here to implement the directives of the conference of ministers and member states. I follow in the spirit of continuity of the work of my predecessors. I will listen to the member states participating in the conference to meet their demands and engage with them to strengthen the role of the conference in south-south cooperation among states.

What are the initial challenges you believe ATLAFCO will face under your leadership?

Taoufik El Ktiri: The emergence of new concepts on the blue economy marks a historic turning point in the member countries of ATLAFCO. This turning point requires the institution to respond to a need faced by member states: food security. Our duty is to ensure food security through the sustainable and rational use of fisheries resources. We also have humans as a key factor in the development of the fisheries sector. These are all topics on the table that I am ready to discuss with the support of my ministers representing all member states of this intergovernmental organization.

How do you assess the partnership between ATLAFCO and the Media Observatory for Sustainable Fishing in Africa?

Taoufik El Ktiri: It’s a fairly young but dynamic partnership. It’s not just a partnership on paper. It is tangible with concrete actions. As evidence, the success of this regional workshop dedicated to the blue economy, the fourth meeting of its kind since the two institutions started working together.

How do you specifically evaluate the progress of this workshop?

Taoufik El Ktiri: I am truly very happy, I am pleased. This is my second workshop as Executive Secretary, and I believe it has been a resounding success. But this success is primarily thanks to you, as participants, as journalists who contributed through your brilliant and relevant interventions, dialogues, exchanges; it was truly very rich and dynamic. There was an energy flowing from everywhere through the sharing of experiences, your professionalism, and your humility. You all wanted to learn more about the blue economy, the practices of different countries, what has been implemented at the level of member states, the experiences, and constraints expressed by each participant; this is what made this event rich and successful.

Interview conducted by Cécile Goudou