10 DECEMBER • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG CHAPTER REPORTS African Chapter In Africa, a lot has happened during this past season, with many events and activities taking place across different regions and countries to support aquaculture through our membership and societal delivery mechanisms. In West Africa, I attended several events in Nigeria, both in person and virtually, where I presented papers and engaged with members and partners. I also took part in the Aquaculture Ghana Conference 2025 in October, one of the leading conferences in West Africa, where I delivered a keynote speech. I experienced many inspiring moments with students from two secondary schools in Ghana, and the unexpected happened to one of the schools: a gift of a growing tank, fish feed, and fingerlings to help them start their fish farming at their school. WAS-AC has a strong membership in Ghana and maintains connections with the Chamber of Aquaculture in Ghana and other key organizations. I also had the opportunity to meet with high-level government delegates, which was crucial as we prepare for the highly anticipated first international WAS Conference in West Africa—Aquaculture Africa Ghana 2027 (AFRAQ2027), scheduled for November 2027. In November, I was invited to Angola, another leading country, where I attended the International Conference on Fisheries and Aquaculture celebrating Angola's 50th anniversary of independence. I presented a paper on ‘Vision Towards Advancing Aquaculture Development in Angola and Central Africa’ at the 2nd Plenary session, chaired and moderated by WAS-AC Secretary Dr. Francisca Delgado. WAS aims to serve as a strategic platform to promote aquaculture development in Central Africa through its “REACH OUT TO LEAST PRODUCING STRATEGY.” The conference offered an opportunity to meet with high-level government officials and discuss key priority areas where WAS can support the country's aquaculture development agenda. We hope to sign an MoU with the government of Angola and other key entities, which could establish WAS as a vehicle for sustainable aquaculture in Angola. Many thanks to Dr. Francisca Delgado for your role in promoting the WAS strategy in the region. My Regional Director for North Africa, Dr. Nevine Shabana, attended the 10th International Fisheries and Aquaculture Conference (SIPA 2025) in Oran, Algeria, where she met with members and partners as part of her outreach efforts in North Africa and the Arab world. We have exciting plans to advance the region’s aquaculture development efforts in the near-to medium-term. I have also been watching many other national, regional, and partner events that continue to highlight WAS’s role as a global leader in promoting international communication, collaboration, education, and information exchange on aquaculture. Many thanks to our strong partnerships with various organizations, including the AUDA-NEPAD, FAO, and our members at large. We were well represented at several workshops, conferences, and farmers’ forums celebrating Fisheries Day 2025. On the international stage, our participation in key strategic events this November, especially in Asia, has been crucial. The World Aquaculture India 2025 event was well-attended, including some members from Africa. The INFOFISH Global Tilapia Conference in Thailand featured our African members, who enhanced the profile of tilapia aquaculture in the region. Our goal is to develop stronger cooperation frameworks with the Asia-Pacific region for growth. Already, our partner, AUDA-NEPAD, has begun an MoU with the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), which we hope will lay the groundwork for better collaboration, particularly within South-South cooperation. We look forward to advancing these efforts as we prepare for the World Aquaculture Conference in Singapore in June 2026. This might be my last column as Chapter President, but I am currently working on a more detailed article that will cover my journey and the achievements during my term. The rapid growth in membership and the strengthening of African conferences and outreach programs are just a few highlights we plan to share. As you may know, Dr. Khalid Salie from Stellenbosch University, South Africa, will assume the role of Chapter President starting in January 2026, and I am confident he will elevate the WAM African columns to new levels. Thank you for your support of my articles over the past two years! I hope they have been both informative and inspiring. Finally, I want to announce that the United Nations has declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer. We hope to seize this opportunity to collaborate more closely with the UN, FAO, AU, and other organizations to highlight African women's vital role in aquaculture value chains in various ways. We will keep you informed about this and ensure you start preparing to register for AFRAQ2026 in Tanzania. The event website and all related information will go live this November. Thank you. — Foluke O. Areola, President President, cont. from page 2 As I reflect on these recent milestones and current Board activities, and look forward to our future events, I am comforted by the fact that leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about fostering a community where diverse perspectives and expertise can thrive. WAS is a shining example of what can be accomplished when we work together toward a shared vision. Together we can continue to drive meaningful change in aquaculture. Thank you for your ongoing dedication to the World Aquaculture Society. I am grateful to be part of this collective journey and look forward to continuing to serve you in the months ahead. Warmest regards, — Wendy Sealey, President, World Aquaculture Society
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