Gabon has opened the fifth edition of the Central Africa Blue Forum in Libreville, bringing governments, scientists, fishing communities and businesses together for four days of talks on how the region can earn a living from its oceans without destroying them.

The forum, known by its French acronym FOBAC and also called Street Whale, was officially launched in the Gabonese capital on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, and runs until Saturday, 14 November. It is held under the theme “Sustainable Oceans and Innovative Financing for Communities”.

What the forum is for

The event is the public face of ODEBAC, the European Union-funded programme for a sustainable ocean and blue economy in Central Africa. The programme is worth €42 million over seven years and supports maritime governance and sustainable fishing in six Central African countries.

It is organised by the African Marine Conservation Organisation (AMMCO) and FOBAC, working with Gabon’s Ministry of the Sea, Fisheries and Blue Economy and its Ministry of Water and Forests. Sessions include scientific symposiums, technical workshops, art exhibitions and meetings of the programme’s steering bodies.

Planning session held first

The launch followed the first session of ODEBAC’s Strategic Orientation Committee, which concluded in Libreville on Tuesday, 10 November. The meeting, held at the headquarters of the Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC), produced recommendations on governance, technical coordination, project deployment and gender considerations.

The committee session was co-chaired by Maxime Nzita Nganga Di Mavambu Mba, the CEEAC commissioner responsible for environment, natural resources, agriculture and rural development, and Claudio Bacigalupi, head of cooperation at the European Union delegation. It had been opened on Monday, 9 November, by Barthélemy Ngoulakia, secretary-general of Gabon’s Ministry of Fisheries, the Sea and Blue Economy.

Why it matters

Central Africa’s coastal states depend heavily on fishing, shipping and offshore resources, but illegal fishing, weak maritime surveillance and pressure on fish stocks threaten both livelihoods and food supplies. The forum aims to turn that around by linking conservation with finance — finding ways for coastal communities to benefit directly from protecting marine ecosystems.

The main forum venue is the Baie des Rois esplanade in Libreville, with the launch ceremony held at the Radisson Blu Hotel. Organisers say the event is designed to mobilise regional actors around the protection of marine and coastal ecosystems and to show how the ocean can drive sustainable and inclusive growth.

Frequently asked questions

What is FOBAC? FOBAC is the Central Africa Blue Forum, an annual gathering — also known as Street Whale — focused on ocean conservation and the blue economy in Central Africa.

What is ODEBAC? ODEBAC is the EU-funded Sustainable Ocean and Blue Economy programme for Central Africa, worth €42 million over seven years.

When and where is the 2026 forum? It runs from 11 to 14 November 2026 in Libreville, Gabon.

Sources: ImNews Africa, reporting the Agence Gabonaise de Presse and the African Marine Conservation Organisation.; Agence Gabonaise de Presse (AGP)