African Union

Posted by IISD Reporting Services on Thursday, 6 December 2018 IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB+ meeting coverage, will provide coverage of selected GCC Pavilion events at the Katowice Climate Change Conference - December 2018, including written, digital and video coverage. The following event was covered by IISD Reporting Services on Wednesday, 5 December 2018: Water and Wastewater Challenges in the Gulf Region Photos by IISD/ENB | Natalia Mroz / Diego Noguera For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page Water and Wastewater Challenges in the Gulf Region Presented by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia This side event focused on the water and wastewater challenges of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, with panelists and participants highlighting climate adaptation and mitigations efforts to tackle challenges. During the event, panelists illustrated leadership and environmental stewardship in the GCC and its regional adaptation efforts in water conservation and water and wastewater management. Moderator Muhammad Nadeem, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), opened the event by noting that Saudi Arabia is a nation of more than 30 million people facing absolute water scarcity. He emphasized the need to address wastewater challenges, singling out the oil and gas industry as the sector in the country where this challenge is most pressing. Nasser Al-Harbi, Saudi Aramco, stressed that groundwater is a precious resource for Saudi Arabia, and said that Saudi Aramco has long been working on water conservation efforts for a sustainable future. Highlighting the importance of water conservation to climate change adaptation and mitigations efforts, he described Aramco’s efforts, including through developing a water conservation policy and strategy to: maximize wastewater reuse; enhance water supply sustainability; optimize water demand; and minimize water losses. Al-Harbi also explained that his company has developed and strengthened standards and practices that specify the proper methods of treatment and disposal of wastewater, including the Saudi Aramco environmental health code. He concluded with an emphasis on the need to contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction through improving water supply sustainability, saying “water is life, do not waste it.” Himanshu Mishra, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), demonstrated how “super sand mulching” can be an effective solution for growing more food in drylands. This process, he reported, has been derived from nature-inspired translational research. He described how the properties of extreme water repellence of insects inhabiting water surfaces inspired the development of a sand-based mulch that repels water, which they named Super Sand. He reported that Super Sand, composed of common sand and paraffin wax, prevents water loss and evaporation, which enhances plant growth, crop yield, and lowers salt stress. He reported on greenhouse and field experiments with tomato and barley crops in Western Saudi Arabia, which have demonstrated the potential of this approach to improve crop yields by nearly 72% in comparison to the unmulched control cases. He further noted that his laboratory is now producing thousands of kilograms of Super Sand per week to support dryland food production and reported experiments with other crops such as date palms, acacia and broccoli. Innovative agricultural technologies such as these, he stressed, are coherent with the aspirations of Saudi Arabia to reduce agricultural water consumption by approximately 50% and to improve the productivity of high-value crops, as stipulated in the National Transformation Program, also known as known as Vision 2030. Thomas Altmann, ACWA Power, noted that energy is the main cost of desalinization worldwide, and that the direct footprint of desalinization, which stands at 120 million metric tons annually, is expected to grow. Altmann said effectively combining low-carbon, renewable desalination technologies would reduce GHG emissions from desalinization. He emphasized that the use of renewable energy in seawater desalinization plays a vital role in providing a reliable, sustainable and resilient water supply in the Gulf region. He noted that reducing the energy consumption of desalination is a key prerequisite for the deployment of utility-scale renewable-driven desalination plants in the region. Presenting on solar-based desalination technologies, he suggested that concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies are currently the most advanced. CSP desalination head supply systems, he added, could be designed for low temperatures, thus avoiding expensive materials and resulting in significant cost savings compared to CSP for power generation. He said that such efficiencies are an advantage from a business point of view, and noted significant growth in salinization investment due to the falling costs of technologies. In the ensuing discussion, participants discussed: the importance of water conservation technologies to help enhance long-term soil nutrient replenishment; opportunities and challenges for supporting the expansion of renewable energy using market mechanisms, including water and energy tariff reforms; and the possible use of sea water for growing rice. Muhammad Nadeem, SABIC Nasser Al-Harbi, Saudi Aramco Himanshu Mishra, KAUST Thomas Altmann, ACWA Power Muna Mahjoub Mohamed Ahmed, Sudan Participants listen to the discussion A participant poses a question A shot of the room during the event CONTACT Nejoud Almatrodi | media@ksa-climate.com MORE INFORMATION https://ksa-climate.com/  

Highlights for Wednesday, 5 December 2018 IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB+ meeting coverage, will provide coverage of selected GCC Pavilion events at the Katowice Climate Change Conference - December 2018, including written, digital and video coverage. The following event was covered by IISD Reporting Services on Wednesday, 5 December 2018: Water and Wastewater Challenges in the Gulf Region Photos by IISD/ENB | Natalia Mroz / Diego Noguera For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page Water and Wastewater Challenges in the Gulf Region Presented by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia This side event focused on the water and wastewater challenges of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, with panelists and participants highlighting climate adaptation and mitigations efforts to tackle challenges. During the event, panelists illustrated leadership and environmental stewardship in the GCC and its regional adaptation efforts in water conservation and water and wastewater management. Moderator Mohammad Nadeem, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), opened the event by noting that Saudi Arabia is a nation of more than 30 million people facing absolute water scarcity. He emphasized the need to address wastewater challenges, singling out the oil and gas industry as the sector in the country where this challenge is most pressing. Nasser Al-Harbi, Saudi Aramco, stressed that groundwater is a precious resource for Saudi Arabia, and said that Saudi Aramco has long been working on water conservation efforts for a sustainable future. Highlighting the importance of water conservation to climate change adaptation and mitigations efforts, he described Aramco’s efforts, including through developing a water conservation policy and strategy to: maximize wastewater reuse; enhance water supply sustainability; optimize water demand; and minimize water losses. Al-Harbi also explained that his company has developed and strengthened standards and practices that specify the proper methods of treatment and disposal of wastewater, including the Saudi Aramco environmental health code. He concluded with an emphasis on the need to contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction through improving water supply sustainability, saying “water is life, do not waste it.” Himanshu Mishra, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), demonstrated how “super sand mulching” can be an effective solution for growing more food in drylands. This process, he reported, has been derived from nature-inspired translational research. He described how the properties of extreme water repellence of insects inhabiting water surfaces inspired the development of a sand-based mulch that repels water, which they named Super Sand. He reported that Super Sand, composed of common sand and paraffin wax, prevents water loss and evaporation, which enhances plant growth, crop yield, and lowers salt stress. He reported on greenhouse and field experiments with tomato and barley crops in Western Saudi Arabia, which have demonstrated the potential of this approach to improve crop yields by nearly 72% in comparison to the unmulched control cases. He further noted that his laboratory is now producing thousands of kilograms of Super Sand per week to support dryland food production and reported experiments with other crops such as date palms, acacia and broccoli. Innovative agricultural technologies such as these, he stressed, are coherent with the aspirations of Saudi Arabia to reduce agricultural water consumption by approximately 50% and to improve the productivity of high-value crops, as stipulated in the National Transformation Program, also known as known as Vision 2030. Thomas Altmann, ACWA Power, noted that energy is the main cost of desalinization worldwide, and that the direct footprint of desalinization, which stands at 120 million metric tons annually, is expected to grow. Altmann said effectively combining low-carbon, renewable desalination technologies would reduce GHG emissions from desalinization. He emphasized that the use of renewable energy in seawater desalinization plays a vital role in providing a reliable, sustainable and resilient water supply in the Gulf region. He noted that reducing the energy consumption of desalination is a key prerequisite for the deployment of utility-scale renewable-driven desalination plants in the region. Presenting on solar-based desalination technologies, he suggested that concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies are currently the most advanced. CSP desalination head supply systems, he added, could be designed for low temperatures, thus avoiding expensive materials and resulting in significant cost savings compared to CSP for power generation. He said that such efficiencies are an advantage from a business point of view, and noted significant growth in salinization investment due to the falling costs of technologies. In the ensuing discussion, participants discussed: the importance of water conservation technologies to help enhance long-term soil nutrient replenishment; opportunities and challenges for supporting the expansion of renewable energy using market mechanisms, including water and energy tariff reforms; and the possible use of sea water for growing rice. Mohammad Nadeem, SABIC Nasser Al-Harbi, Saudi Aramco Himanshu Mishra, KAUST Thomas Altmann, ACWA Power Muna Mahjoub Mohamed Ahmed, Sudan Participants listen to the discussion A participant poses a question A shot of the room during the event CONTACT Nejoud Almatrodi | media@ksa-climate.com MORE INFORMATION https://ksa-climate.com/

The following events were covered by IISD Reporting Services on Monday, 3 December 2018: Africa Day High-Level Side Event at COP 24: Implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in Support of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 Climate Friendly Technologies: Improving Adaptive Capacity of Women and Building Resilience Equity is the Gateway to Climate Ambition Photos by IISD/ENB | Natalia Mroz / Diego Noguera For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page Africa Day High-Level Side Event at COP 24: Implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in Support of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 Presented by the African Union Commission (AUC) L-R: Harsen Nyambe, African Union Commission (AUC); Amb. Josefa Sacko, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, AUC; Regis Immongault, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gabon, and Committee of African Heads of State & Government on Climate Change (CAHOSSC); James Murombdzi, UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA); and Anthony Nyong, African Development Bank (AfDB) As part of Africa Day, the AUC hosted a panel on the Africa NDC Hub, which aims to support member states in operationalizing their NDCs in view of Agenda 2063. The panel was moderated by Harsen Nyambe, Head of Environment, Climate Change, Water and Land Management, AUC. Anthony Nyong, African Development Bank (AfDB), highlighted that climate-related finance remains a major issue in Africa, given that the implementation of African countries’ NDCs include conditional targets related to the provision of additional resources. He highlighted the AfDB’s Africa NDC Hub, which provides support for implementing NDCs by mainstreaming them into national development plans. James Murombdzi, UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), highlighted that climate change adaptation and sustainable development are “two sides of the same coin.” He noted that many NDCs are conditional upon resources that must be mobilized across the private, public and civil society sectors. He highlighted that UNECA would reorganize its programming to include new sub-programmes on climate change and natural resource management. Murombdzi further stressed the need to view economic and climate policy in ways that reflect Africa’s economic realities. Amb. Josefa Sacko, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, AUC, noted the impacts of climate change across Africa and the limited adaptive capacity that increases the continent’s vulnerability. Reaffirming the commitment of AUC to working with all its partners to support member states in the implementation of their NDCs, she announced that the AUC will have a continental strategy to address climate change by 2019. Régis Immongault, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gabon, and Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSSC), lauded Africa’s engagement in mitigating and adapting to climate change, but highlighted the lack of concrete responses from public, private and civil society actors. He stressed that Africa must speak “with one voice” in negotiations to ensure just outcomes, and noted that the NDC Hub’s aim of mobilizing resources was encouraging in this regard. In their discussions, participants agreed on the importance of a just climate transition that reflects Africa’s economic realities, and on the necessity of leveraging resources from the private sector and from civil society into public mechanisms to successfully and concretely implement NDCs. Moderator Harsen Nyambe, AUC On NDC implmentation, Anthony Nyong, AfDB, said: “We cannot do it alone. We need to do it in partnership.” James Murombdzi, UNECA, stressed the need for a just transition that addresses environmental insecurity and reduces poverty in Africa. Amb. Josefa Sacko, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, AUC, cited the shrinking of Lake Chad as an example of the evidence-based impacts of climate change in Africa. Régis Immongault, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gabon, and CAHOSSC, stressed the need for solidarity across Africa on adaptation. Participants during the event Amb. Josefa Sacko, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, AUC, is interviewed at the end of the event. A view of the NDC Partnership Pavilion CONTACT Olushola Olayide, AUC | OlusholaO@africa-union.org MORE INFORMATION https://au.int/en/commission Climate-Friendly Technologies: Improving Adaptive Capacity of Women and Building Resilience Presented by the Indian Network on Ethics and Climate Change (INECC) Panelists pose for a group photo This event presented case studies from developing countries on locally relevant, climate-friendly technologies for vulnerable peoples, with a focus on women. Ajita Tiwari Padhi, Indian Network on Ethics and Climate Change (INECC), moderated the event, with panelists and participants discussing barriers and policy recommendations for promoting and scaling-up these technologies. Padhi highlighted that women face greater burdens from poverty-related climate change impacts, and stressed the need to consider their needs in an equitable way. She also noted the importance of establishing a dedicated agenda under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and including text in the Paris Agreement on gender. Priyadarshini Karve, Samuchit Enviro Tech, said that her organization is working with communities in remote locations, bringing them improved cooking stove technology, and stated that they have developed a process to better understand people’s preferences. She stressed that the stove needs to respond to the different needs of each community and that the organization is trying to train entrepreneurs to make the stoves themselves. She noted that a project is considered successful when the stoves are still used after the end of the project cycle. Siddharth D’Souza, Laya Green Ventures, discussed projects that aim to reduce the daily burden on women in tribal regions of Andhra Pradesh, India. He shared examples focused on providing energy access, water pumps, water filters, improved cookstoves and biogas; and highlighted that climate-smart technologies can be developed effectively by starting with a clear identification of community needs and barriers to technology uptake. Colin McQuistan, Practical Action, discussed technology roll out in local communities and efforts to make local technology development ecosystems fairer and more effective. He emphasized: the catalytic potential of such efforts; the need to align technology-focused efforts in international agreements, such as the Paris Agreement and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction; and that private sector technology development must be driven by community needs, not just profit. In the ensuing discussion, panelists addressed the main challenges to bringing these technologies to communities, including lack of funding and investment. Saleemul Huq, International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), said that future Conferences of the Parties (COPs) need to consider ways to scale up bottom-up actions related to technology and gender around the world. Ajita Tiwari Padhi, INECC, noted that everyone is affected in a different way by climate change and that there are different technological solutions for climate mitigation. Saleemul Huq, IIED, noted that other countries will soon come to learn from Bangladesh’s early experiences in rolling out climate-friendly technology. Priyadarshini Karve, Samuchit Enviro Tech, noted that the negotiation processes are futile unless the decision makers listen to people on the ground. Colin McQuistan, Practical Action, discussed how technology is not only a useful “thing” but also a learning mechanism. Participants pose comments from the floor A shot of the room during the event CONTACT Ajita Tiwari Padhi | inecc1996@gmail.com MORE INFORMATION www.inecc.net Equity is the Gateway to Climate Ambition Presented by the Third World Network (TWN) L-R: Meena Raman, Third World Network (TWN); Ravi Prasad, India; Moderator Vicente Yu, South Centre; Zahir Fakir, South Africa, and G-77/China Finance Coordinator; and Walter Schuldt, Ecuador The event, moderated by Vicente Yu, South Centre, focused on sharing developing countries’ views on equity-related issues and emphasizing that greater climate action is only possible with equity among developed and developing countries. Noting the higher impact of climate change on vulnerable groups, Walter Schuldt, Ecuador, highlighted the need for all stakeholders to recognize the urgency of accelerating greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions. Related to equity, he underscored the importance of addressing transparency, and lack of access to finance, technology and capacity building in developing countries. Zahir Fakir, South Africa, and G-77/China Finance Coordinator, emphasized the financial gaps between the USD 100 billion pledge made for the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the actual money available, noting the growing number of concessional projects. He called for developing countries to carefully consider their financial mobilization plans. Ravi Prasad, India, emphasized the need to consider “outcome-oriented equity,” as well as equity with regards to how it impacts individuals from both developing and developed countries. Meena Raman, TWN, highlighted that the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities is based on the historical fact that developed countries have had an advantage over developing countries in wealth creation. She highlighted the inequities that continue to exist, and noted that if developed countries are struggling with transformation to fossil fuel-free economies, then one cannot expect developing countries to transform with ease. In the ensuing question and answer session, topics centered on: the role of technology transfer in implementing the Paris Agreement; difference between adaptation finance and finance for mitigation; and how to deal with financial gaps. Moderator Vicente Yu, South Centre, stressed that the equity issue is a key element of finalizing the global stocktake design at COP 24. Walter Schuldt, Ecuador, said ensuring finance to implement the Paris Agreement should be the core element of promoting global climate action. Meena Raman, TWN, noted that developing countries cannot rely on adaptation alone, and will need support for loss and damage in situations where disasters have destroyed livelihoods. Zahir Fakir, South Africa and G-77/China Finance Coordinator, said that developing countries’ “eligibility” for gaining financial support is becoming an important issue. Ravi Prasad, India, stressed the need to ensure that climate actions consider the realities of life for people of developing countries. Participants pose comments from the floor CONTACT Yvonne Miller | ymiller@twngeneva.ch Mariama Williams | williams@southcentre.int MORE INFORMATION https://twnetwork.org/meeting/katowice-climate-change-conference-dec-2018

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 For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page 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  

Heads of state group photo The Sustainable Blue Economy Conference 2018 opened on Monday 26 November in Nairobi, Kenya, as the first global meeting on how to ensure a sustainable blue economy. Over 16,000 participants registered for the event, and Monday saw over 70 countries’ heads of states and governments delivering their commitments to achieve the objectives of: harnessing the potential of oceans, seas, lakes and rivers to improve the lives of all; and leveraging the latest innovations, scientific advances and best practices to build prosperity while conserving the global waters for future generations.The Leaders’ Commitments segment was interspersed with videos about the nine conference themes. On behalf of the host country, President Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya, pledged that his country would play a leading role in: implementing proper policies and mechanisms to harness the blue economy; managing waste for the sake of food security and biodiversity; enforcing sustainable fishing; and ensuring security and safety in the high seas.During opening remarks, Monica Juma, Cabinet Secretary, Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that oceans, seas, lakes and rivers held natural capital that could be used to accelerate economic growth, create jobs and fight against poverty while addressing environmental degradation. She highlighted the aim of the conference was to identify priorities, opportunities and challenges that would result in a Nairobi Statement of Intent, and invited commitments from different sectors to advance a blue economy.Jonathan Wilkinson, Canadian Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, said that the conference would explore how to build a sustainable blue economy that left no one behind and that achieving a blue economy would require reliance on innovation, science and best practices, and a truly collaborative approach to enhance decision making.Apart from the leaders’ segment, a dialogue took place on the pillars of a blue economy, these being: productivity through accelerated economic growth, job creation and poverty alleviation; and sustainability through addressing climate change, controlling pollution and managing waste, and sustaining marine life.Many side events were held in parallel with the Leaders’ Commitments segment. Among others, the side event on the “Women of the Blue Economy: Lessons from the Field for better Equity and Participation” focused on the challenges for women in the fisheries sector through an interactive conversation among researchers, civil society members and policy makers on gender transformative processes and opportunities in the blue economy in Africa. 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 For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page Leaders’ Commitment Segment   Monica Juma, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kenya   Keriako Tobiko, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Kenya   Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Canada   Justin Mundy, Senior Fellow and Special Envoy for Conflict and Natural Resources, and Sustainable Ocean Initiatives, World Resources Institute (WRI), and Pavan Sukhdev, President, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF International)   President Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya   President Danny Faure, Seychelles   President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, Somalia   President Mohamed Shein, Zanzibar, on behalf of Tanzania   President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Uganda   President Filipe Nyusi, Mozambique   Participants watch a video on the blue economy   Haydée Rodríguez Romero, Vice-Minister of Water and Seas, Costa Rica   Yuri Pimentel, Ministry of the People’s Power of Foreign Affairs, Venezuela Women of the Blue Economy: Lessons from the Field for Better Equity and Participation   Chair Bruce Currie-Alder, International Development Research Centre (IDRC)   Lisa Stadelbauer, High Commissioner and Ambassador, Canada   Kathryn Toure, IDRC   Jane Macharia, National Museums of Kenya   L-R: Tiffanie Rainville, Global Affairs Canada; Mahawa Kaba Wheeler, Director for Women, Gender and Development, African Union; Jackline Auma, Fisherwoman, Shakababo Lake Village, Tana River Delta, Tana County, Kenya; Fridah Githuku, Executive Director, Grassroots Organizations Operating Together in Sisterhood (GROOTS Kenya); Cynthia McDougall, WorldFish, Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR); Margaret Nakato, Director, Katosi Women Development Trust; Moenieba Isaacs, University of the Western Cape; and Kwasi Appeaning Addo, University of Ghana   Jemimah Njuki, IDRC, moderating the discussion   Jackline Auma, Fisherwoman, Shakababo Lake Village, Tana River Delta, Tana County, Kenya   Margaret Nakato, Director, Katosi Women Development Trust   Fridah Githuku, GROOTS Kenya   Moenieba Isaacs, University of the Western Cape   Tiffanie Rainville, Global Affairs Canada   Cynthia McDougall, WorldFish, CGIAR   Kwasi Appeaning Addo, University of Ghana   Mahawa Kaba Wheeler, Director for Women, Gender and Development, African Union   A participant asks a question to the panelists   Participants during the event Around the Venue   Statue of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, first President of Kenya