Kenya will experience a major economic boost following the hosting of The Global Sustainable Blue Economy conference scheduled to take place from 26th to the 28th of November, in Nairobi.
The first ever global conference on the Sustainable Blue Economy which will focus on creating economic growth, ensuring healthy waters and building safe communities, has seen the full booking of major hotels ahead of the conference late this month.
With Canada and Japan as its co-hosts, the conference is set to take place at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) with some forums taking place at the University of Nairobi (UoN).
Over 4,000 participants from around the world will meet at the SBEC to learn on how oceans, seas, lakes, rivers and other water bodies can accelerate the collective quest for sustainable economic growth particularly people in developing states, women, youth and indigenous people.
The Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary, Amb. Macharia Kamau who last week chaired a preparatory session with ministry officials singled out economic growth as a key outcome of the conference.
“The biggest opportunity that can arise is the public private partnerships that will be built so as to maximize the opportunities of the blue economy,” Amb. Kamau indicated in an earlier interview.
The forum will bring hundreds of businesses, governments and financial institutions from around the world, with Kenyans expected to enjoy the ripple effects as a result of being the host.
The conference will entail signature thematic sessions, side events and four forums namely, Business and Private Sector Forum, Science and Research Symposium, Civil Society Forum and Governors and Mayors Convention.
These sessions are set to outline strategies on how to protect aquatic ecosystems and communities as well as develop the marine resources with a view of showing global leaders on how to meet development goals and create an inclusive, productive and sustainable future for all.
It will also give recommendations on how to create economic growth that is inclusive and sustainable by investing in renewable energy sources and finding ways to balance the needs of the population with the impacts of resource mining on the environment.
This will enhance providence of industries with many exciting opportunities for sustainable innovation.
By creating economic growth, the blue economy will enable creation of employment opportunities across a variety of maritime industries, contributing $1.5 trillion USD to the global economy. Governments, businesses and other organizations will learn strategies on how to create sustainable, environmental-friendly jobs in the blue economy sectors.
By Makau Joshua
