International Conference on Valuation and Accounting of Natural Capital for Green Economy (VANTAGE) in Africa

On Wednesday, 4 December, delegates to the International Conference on Valuation and Accounting of Natural Capital for Green Economy (VANTAGE) in Africa convened for a high level policy forum at UN headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. Following opening remarks by Stephen Wainaina, Economic Secretary, Ministry of Devolution and Planning, Kenya, and Achim Steiner, Executive Director, UNEP, delegates listened to a keynote address by Partha Dasgupta, University of Cambridge, UK.

During the remainder of the day, delegates participated in a policy dialogue on VANTAGE and considered key issues related to valuation and accounting of natural capital for a green economy. Ministers from Egypt and Rwanda presented on their countries' approach to valuation and accounting of natural capital and discussed how their countries incorporate valuation and natural capital accounting into development strategies. Participants also heard a video message from Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

In the afternoon, delegates considered a draft outcome document that identifies remaining challenges in implementing VANTAGE in Africa and includes recommendations for how to overcome these challenges. During the discussion, delegates recommended making explicit linkages between VANTAGE and poverty alleviation, noting tackling poverty remains a priority for Africa.

In a plenary discussion on the way forward, participants stressed the importance of ensuring that data and information are useful for policy analysis.

Please return to this webpage on 6 December 2013 for the summary of the VANTAGE meeting.