Three Unique Islands, One United Vision

The consultations were led by the Ministry of Environment in charge of Tourism, with technical support from GRID-Arendal, and oversight from UNEP and FAO.

Rather than relying only on national-level discussions, the process deliberately travelled to each island to capture local perspectives and priorities.

Across a series of workshops, bilateral meetings and participatory exercises, stakeholders explored key questions:

• What opportunities does the blue economy offer the Comoros?

• What barriers prevent sustainable ocean development?

• And what priorities should guide the country’s future ocean policy?

Participants worked together to identify priorities across sectors including fisheries, tourism, maritime transport, aquaculture and environmental protection.

The consultations also served to validate the findings of a Rapid Readiness Assessment, evaluating the country’s preparedness for implementing a sustainable blue economy.

Despite differences between the islands, a clear common vision emerged.

Across the Comoros, stakeholders highlighted three pillars for the future blue economy:
Fisheries remain central to livelihoods and food security. Participants stressed the importance of sustainable management, improved monitoring, and greater value addition through processing and aquaculture.

Tourism, particularly nature-based tourism, was widely seen as a major opportunity for economic development if infrastructure and environmental safeguards are strengthened.

Maritime transport and connectivity were identified as critical for linking the islands and enabling trade, tourism and economic integration.

But economic sectors alone are not enough. Participants repeatedly emphasized that a successful blue economy must also include:

• strong environmental protection

• improved governance and law enforcement

• investments in infrastructure and training

• greater inclusion of women, youth and local communities.

In short, the blue economy must work for both people and nature.

During the consultations, stakeholders ranked the most urgent actions needed to support the transition. Several priorities stood out across all three islands.

First, participants stressed the need to finalise and adopt a revised national blue economy policy, providing a clear framework for coordinated action.

Second, stakeholders called for the creation of a national blue economy data hub, highlighting the lack of reliable ecological and socio-economic data to support decision-making.

Third, participants emphasised the importance of training and ocean literacy programmes for both officials and communities.

Other priorities included developing innovative blue finance mechanisms, clarifying institutional responsibilities, and establishing pilot blue growth zones where sustainable tourism, fisheries or renewable energy initiatives could be tested.

Together, these priorities highlight a common challenge faced by many island states: the need to strengthen governance, capacity and knowledge systems in order to translate ocean potential into sustainable development.

One of the defining features of the consultation process was its participatory approach.
Through group discussions, stakeholder mapping exercises and interactive surveys, participants worked together to identify challenges and trade-offs.

This approach ensured that local perspectives – including traditional knowledge and community experience – were integrated alongside technical expertise. It also helped build ownership of the policy process.

For many participants, the consultations provided the first opportunity to discuss the blue economy in a cross-sector setting, bringing together actors who rarely collaborate but whose work is deeply interconnected.

For the Comoros, the stakes are high.
The country’s economy, food systems and culture are tightly linked to the ocean, yet it faces growing pressures from climate change, illegal fishing, pollution and limited institutional capacity.

A sustainable blue economy offers a pathway to address these challenges — but only if it is built on strong governance, reliable data and inclusive decision-making.

This is where GRID-Arendal’s role becomes critical.
Through technical expertise, facilitation and science-policy support, GRID-Arendal helps countries translate global ocean commitments into practical policies and locally grounded solutions.

The work in the Comoros also contributes to broader global efforts, including the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and international commitments under SDG 14: Life Below Water.

The stakeholder consultations mark an important step in revising the Comoros’ national sustainable blue economy policy.

The insights gathered from communities, institutions and sector experts will inform the next phase of the process: the development of a strategic action plan and integrated policy framework.

For the Comoros, the message emerging from the consultations is clear.

The country’s future lies in the ocean, but its success will depend on building a blue economy that is sustainable, inclusive and rooted in the realities of the islands themselves.

And across Mohéli, Anjouan and Grande Comore, the foundations for that shared vision are already taking shape.