September 18, 2025 (JUBA, South Sudan): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), in collaboration with the Government of South Sudan, convened a two-day national workshop to strengthen the country’s National Blue Economy Coordination Platform (NBECP). Supported by the Government of Sweden, the initiative focused on reinforcing governance frameworks, enhancing coordination across Blue Economy related sectors, and mobilising resources to implement South Sudan’s National Blue Economy Strategy developed with the support of IGAD. The discussions were complemented by IGAD’s recent case study “Opportunities in Inland Waterways Transport: The Case Study of South Sudan”, which outlines how river transport can serve as a driver of trade, connectivity, and livelihoods. In his closing remarks, Mr Zubair Taban Zakayo, Director General for River Transport of South Sudan, highlighted the strategic significance of these efforts: “South Sudan’s inland waterways are not only a lifeline for communities, but also an untapped engine for trade, connectivity, and prosperity. By institutionalising the Blue Economy, we can transform these opportunities into tangible development outcomes.”The workshop concluded with a commitment to operationalise the National Blue Economy Coordination Platform and embed Blue Economy priorities into South Sudan’s national agenda, reinforcing IGAD’s wider mission of fostering sustainable growth, resilience, and regional integration.