From 9 to 11 February 2026, the city of Chennai, India, hosted the World Seafood Congress 2026, under the theme “Sustainable Solutions for Inclusive Growth”.
The congress brought together global leaders, technical experts, and international institutions committed to building safer, fairer, and more resilient aquatic food systems. Over recent decades, the WSC has established itself as one of the sector’s premier technical platforms, with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization playing a key role in promoting sustainable seafood trade.
Under the interventions of MAMAP – Market Access of Mozambican Aquaculture Products, the participation of a Mozambican delegation was supported, reinforcing the country’s positioning in international debates on food safety and market access.
Mozambique in the Spotlight
During the regional sessions — which highlighted the role of developing countries in building resilient food systems — Mr. Felipe Januário, Head of the Internal Control Department of the National Fisheries Inspection Institute (INIP), delivered a presentation on the key food safety challenges in Mozambique’s aquaculture sector.
His address highlighted:
- The strategic importance of fisheries and aquaculture for food and nutritional security in Mozambique
- The role of strengthening inspection and certification systems
- The need to align with international standards such as HACCP and ISO
- Structural challenges, including the prevalence of artisanal fishing, cold chain limitations, and the impacts of climate change
- Opportunities to expand safe and traceable aquaculture systems as a driver of inclusive growth
The presentation underscored that food safety is not merely a public health concern, but also a fundamental pillar for economic development, consumer confidence, and access to international markets.
MAMAP as a Catalyst for Change
The MAMAP project continues to play a strategic role in strengthening national capacities, supporting:
- Training of inspectors and technicians in food safety systems
- Development of biosafety manuals
- Strengthening of laboratory capacity
- Alignment with international requirements to facilitate market access
Participation in the World Seafood Congress 2026 reaffirms Mozambique’s commitment to the sustainable, safe, and competitive production of aquaculture products, contributing to more resilient food systems by 2030 and beyond.