Kenya to host sustainable blue economy conference

Date:November 26-28, 2018

Venue:in ­­Nairobi

Theme:Sustainable Blue Economy and the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development

From November 26-28, 2018 Kenyan capital Nairobi will play host of High-Level Conference on Sustainable Blue Economy Conference.

Speaking during an editor’s breakfast meeting, the Principal Secretary Macharia Kamau, said the conference follows the announcement by President Uhuru Kenyatta, during the Third Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly held in Nairobi in December 2017.

The Ministerial Conference will provide a forum to advance the global conversation on the sustainable development of the Blue Economy.

“The Blue Economy is a new frontier for development as we move to tap into the productive capacity of our water resources and empower communities in a sustainable way as we build our economy,” said PS Macharia. He noted that historically, great civilisations and empires have been built around and through resources from lakes, rivers, seas and oceans.

The theme of the conference is Blue Economy and the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development, will focus on new technologies and innovation for oceans, seas, lakes and rivers as well as the challenges, potential opportunities, priorities and partnerships.

“The conference presents immense opportunities for the growth of our economy especially sectors such as fisheries, tourism, maritime transport, off-shore mining among others in a way that the land economy has failed to do,” said PS Macharia.

The conference is anchored on the two conceptual pillars of: Sustainability, Climate Change and Controlling Pollution, and Production, Accelerated Economic Growth, Jobs and Poverty Alleviation.

The sub-themes include Transportation and Global Connectivity; Employment, Job Creation and Poverty Eradication; Cities, Tourism Entertainment and Blue Economy; Energy, Mineral Resources and Sustainable Development; Ending Hunger, Securing food supplies, and Promoting good health and dietary practices; management and sustaining of marine life, conservation and sustainable economic activity; climate action, agriculture and pollution free oceans; maritime security and enforcement; people communities and societies: the inclusive blue economy.

By hosting the conference Kenya affirms its appreciation of the importance of conserving and sustainably using our oceans, seas, lakes, rivers and marine resources through enabling cooperation for shared prosperity.

The PS called on the media as a stakeholder to collaborate with the Ministry in publicising, promoting and positively profiling the conference.