President Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya, is welcomed by members of his government.
On Tuesday, the Sustainable Blue Economy Conference hosted signature thematic sessions on:
- sustainable energy, mineral resources and innovative industries;
- management and sustaining of marine life, conservation and sustainable economic activities; and
- ending hunger, securing food supplies and promoting good health and sustainable fisheries.
The Science and Research Symposium continued to explore the science behind a blue economy, while a Business and Private Sector Forum focused on:
- investing in the blue economy, including in tourism, maritime transport, aquaculture and renewable energy;
- innovative financing for the blue economy, such as “green bonds”; and
- how to build economic growth that is sustainable.
During the Governors and Mayors Convention, participants explored the connection between urban development of coastal zones and the impacts on the marine environment, and about ways to ensure development is sustainable and of benefit to all.Many side events took place throughout the day, where participants shared their experiences and lessons on the different approaches to developing a blue economy at the local and global levels. In the morning, participants attended a side event on enhancing coastal marine ecosystem service mapping, assessments and valuation for sustainable blue economy policies and actions, in order to value the oceans adequately. Key messages included that the blue economy should aim to advance Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development), which would help advance many other Goals, including those related to food security, economic development and decent jobs, poverty eradication, climate and gender equality.In the afternoon, side events explored, among other issues, how to build the global momentum on marine/aquatic plastics litter.
A “blue fashion for blue growth” fashion show held in the evening, displayed ocean-sourced fabrics.
IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB+ Meeting Coverage, provided daily web coverage from the Sustainable Blue Economy Conference. In addition, IISD Reporting Services has published a summary report of the Conference in HTML and PDF.
Photos by IISD/ENB | Diego Noguera
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A local band welcomes President Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya.
Governors and Mayors Convention
Participants watch an introductory video on the blue economy.
Mike Sonko, Governor of Nairobi
Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson, African Union Commission
Maimunah Mohd Sharif, UN Under-Secretary-General, and Executive Director, UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)
Eugene Wamalwa, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Kenya
President Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya
Participants listen to Uhuru Kenyatta’s address.
Wallace Cosgrow, Minister for Environment, Energy and Climate Change, Seychelles
President Danny Faure, Seychelles
High-level dignitaries attending the Governors and Mayors Convention
The media at the event
Value the Oceans: Enhancing Coastal Marine Ecosystem Service Mapping, Assessments and Valuation for Sustainable Blue Economy Policies and Actions
L-R: Pavan Sukhdev, President, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) International; Yannick Beaudoin, David Suzuki Foundation; Steve Fletcher, UN Environment Programme - World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC); François Soulard, Chief, Statistics Canada; Helen Agren, Ambassador for the Ocean, Sweden; Chantalle Clarke-Samuels, Coastal Zone Management Authority, Belize; and Moderator Lisa Svensson, Oceans Director, UNEP
Chantalle Clarke-Samuels, Coastal Zone Management Authority, Belize
Helen Agren, Ambassador for the Ocean, Sweden
François Soulard, Chief, Statistics Canada
Moderator Lisa Svensson, Oceans Director, UNEP
Steve Fletcher, UNEP-WCMC
Yannick Beaudoin, David Suzuki Foundation
Participants during panelists’ presentations
Business and Private Sector Forum
L-R: Wallace Cosgrow, Minister for Environment, Energy and Climate Change, Seychelles; Henry Rotich, Cabinet Secretary, National Treasury and Planning, Kenya; President Danny Faure, Seychelles; President Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya; Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, Prime Minister of Namibia; and Monica Juma, Cabinet Secretary, Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs
President Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya
Participants watch a video on the blue economy.
President Danny Faure, Seychelles
Wallace Cosgrow, Minister for Environment, Energy and Climate Change, Seychelles
Henry Rotich, Cabinet Secretary, National Treasury and Planning, Kenya
Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, Prime Minister of Namibia
Building the Global Momentum on Marine/Aquatic Plastics Litter
L-R: Geoffrey Wahungu, National Environment Management Authority; Heidi Savelli, UNEP; Isabelle Berard, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Canada; Ian Shuker, World Bank; Stephen Harris, Commonwealth Clean Oceans Alliance
Keriako Tobiko, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Kenya; and Isabelle Berard, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Canada
Geoffrey Wahungu, National Environment Management Authority
Ending Hunger, Securing Food Supplies and Promoting Good Health and Sustainable Fisheries
L-R: Michieni Ntiba, State Department for Fisheries and Aquaculture and the Blue Economy, Kenya; Moderator Christopher Frederick, natural resources specialist; Pakjuta Khemakorn, Department of Fisheries, Thailand; and Catherine Blewett, Deputy Minister, Fisheries and Oceans, Canada
Catherine Blewett, Deputy Minister, Fisheries and Oceans, Canada
Michieni Ntiba, State Department for Fisheries and Aquaculture and the Blue Economy, Kenya
Pakjuta Khemakorn, Department of Fisheries, Thailand
Blue Fashion for Blue Growth
Around the Venue
