La saison Bleue

For the past eight years, La Saison Bleue has been actively engaged in ocean conservation efforts across the African continent and the Mediterranean region. Through various initiatives, the association has focused on ocean education and awareness, organizing school interventions, beach clean-up activities, and public awareness campaigns that actively involve local communities and schools in hands-on conservation efforts, primarily in Tunisia.

Today, La Saison Bleue’s core mission is to create inclusive, action-oriented dialogue platforms across Africa and beyond. Its goal is to bridge the gap between ocean and maritime stakeholders by fostering constructive dialogue at all levels. By promoting collaboration and mutual understanding among civil society& NGO, policymakers, the private sector, startups  and the scientific community, La Saison Bleue contributes to a unified and effective approach to ocean conservation.

One of its flagship initiatives, the Forum Mondial de la Mer – Bizerte, is one of the longest-running annual gatherings dedicated to ocean conservation. Chaired by Pascal Lamy, the forum serves as platform for showcasing innovative solution and fostering collaboration among stakeholders. It plays a crucial role on strengthening international relations within the Mediterranean and forging connections between Africa and Europe. The Forum’s significant reach is demonstrated by its engagement of over 31,000 online participants, 150 guest speakers representing Europe, Africa, and Mediterranean basin) , and 50 partner.  Additional information is available on the forum’s website: Forum Mondialde la Mer – Bizerte.

More recently, the Blue Africa Summit, co-organized by the Royal Moroccan Academy and La Saison Bleue under the high patronage of King Mohammed VI, has significantly enhanced Africa’s presence in the international ocean dialogue. This annual summit in Morocco convenes African stakeholders, fostering leadership, dialogue, and collaboration among African states while providing a constructive platform for global partnerships. The 2024 Blue Africa Summit brought together 78 guest speakers from Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, offering a unique space for the African voice to be amplified and inspired. For more information, including details on the Tangier Declaration and the growing mobilization efforts, please visit our website.

Both the Bizerte Declaration and the Tangier Declaration position the Mediterranean and African regions as a unified voice on the global stage. As the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference approaches, these declarations emphasize the urgent need for stronger and more equitable South-South and North-South cooperation, ensuring a cohesive and impactful approach to addressing global ocean challenges.

Collaborations and Partnerships

La Saison Bleue actively collaborates with various international initiatives, including its engagement with the Blue Mission Med, working alongside Mediterranean partners to address shared oceanic challenges and promote sustainable practices across the region. As a board member of Blue Mission Med, Rym Benzina, President of La Saison Bleue, emphasizes the importance of countries like Tunisia and other African Mediterranean nations becoming involved in united projects like this one. South-South and South-North collaboration is key to delivering meaningful responses to ocean degradation.

Building on these experiences, La Saison Bleue aims to expand its scope and expertise through additional activities that advance ocean protection. The association firmly believes that ocean-related cultural events, which bring knowledge, science, and education to the forefront, should be accessible to all, everywhere.

Aligned with this blue state of mind, La Saison Bleue’s 2025 agenda includes the development of conferences, meetings, festivals, and forums dedicated to ocean protection.

Rym Benzina,

Chairwoman of La Saison Bleue