Kenya is set to host a high level regional workshop for the next two days to focus on mainstreaming maritime sector into the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework process.
Jointly organized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the United National Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the workshop brings together senior experts in Maritime administration from sixteen Eastern and Southern Africa countries.
The meeting will focus on mainstreaming the maritime sector in the cooperation framework process in line with the relevant IMO resolution on the “linkages between the technical assistance work of IMO and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”.
Prior to the meeting that will be officially opened by the Transport Cabinet Secretary Tuesday, State department for Shipping and Maritime, Principal Secretary Nancy Karigithu, said the workshop is of great importance in the economic development of countries in the region against the backdrop of current global discussions on the Blue Economy and the Sustainable Development Goals.
“It is critical in mainstreaming maritime into the discussions, drafting and preparations of economic development policies and plans”, she added in a statement
According to the PS, IMO assembly resolution A.1126 (30), “recognizes the important role that a safe, secure, environmentally sound, efficient and sustainable maritime transport plays in the sustainable development of all states and in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
The workshop is also aligned with UNECA’s objective to strengthen sustainable transport development within the framework of the Blue Economy in Africa.
Karigithu further said that the resolution requests the Technical Cooperation committee of IMO to give priority to activities that contribute to the attainment of the SDGs, taking into account the special needs of the least developed countries and Small Island Developing States and the particular maritime transport needs of Africa and ensure that these needs are reflected in the Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP) cycles.
“Appreciating IMO recognition of Kenya as a lead Maritime nation by honoring it to host the meeting will strengthen the contacts among the different stakeholders in the region and also highlight the value of the contribution of the maritime industry, including inland waterways and domestic voyages, in addressing the SDGs,” the PS said.
The workshop will run under the theme” United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (Cooperation Framework): A process to mainstream the Maritime sector’
By Wangari Ndirangu
