NAIROBI, (KENYA)- The diaspora side event of the Sustainable Blue Economy took place on Monday at the Taifa Hall, University of Nairobi, bringing together delegates from different parts of the world with common interest in identifying the role of the global diaspora for international development and international solidarity. 

Delegates from different organisations gave their observations, challenges and ideas towards creating a sustainable Blue Economy while putting into consideration the role of the diaspora.

Michael Pillinger, Chief of Mission of IOM Kenya while giving his speech said the Global Diaspora plays a huge role in creating a Sustainable Blue Economy.

Must Watch: The Role of Global Diaspora in Sustainable Blue Economy 1

Michael Pillinger, Chief of Mission of IOM Kenya and Romina D. Sta. Clara, project manager, International Organization for Migration during the Diaspora side event at the Universirty. CREDIT| WYCLIFFE NYAWADE, CHAMS MEDIA

"The direct and indirect roles of the diaspora in developing a sustainable blue economy cannot be underestimated," he said.

"The Diaspora incredibly contributes to the development and growth of Kenya's national economy."

Chief Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ababu Namwamba while giving the government position, said Kenya is proud to have more productive members of the diaspora.

"We are pleased to see Kenyans abroad taking advantage of the fora we have had and increasing their investments back home," he says.

Must Watch: The Role of Global Diaspora in Sustainable Blue Economy 2

Foreign Affairs Chief Administrative Secretary Ababu Namwamba says the diaspora plays a huge role in creating sustainable blue economy. CREDIT| WYCLIFFE NYAWADE, CHAMS MEDIA

Amadou Cisse, the Interim Executive Director, African Institute for Remittances (AIR) says the African Diaspora has set specific goals on the contribution to the Blue Economy that aims to improve investments. The goals include support to organisations that protect oceans and marine resources.

"At the community level, we have activities that should be supported and I think the diaspora will help in those activities."

In summary, the panelists highlighted the role f the global diaspora in harnessing the Blue Economy through investments thus improved remittances to various countries.

The historic Diaspora has more than 100 million people all over the world -Prof Paul Tiyambe Zaleza, vice-chancellor of USIU.

And this week, The Chamwada Report presents an in-depth analysis of the Blue Economy Conference but with special focus on the role of the diaspora.

On the show, which aired Thursday on KTN News at 8.30pm, Alex Chamwada spoke with various leaders of organizations and state agencies. The show highlighted the special role of the diaspora, the opportunities in the sector and how the skills in the diaspora can be put to bear in creating a sustainable blue economy.

 

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NAIROBI-During this year’s Sustainable Blue Economy Conference which will  take place between November 26th and 28th at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi, one of the key contributors to successful Blue Economy is diaspora which will be discussed in depth at a diaspora side event which will take place on the 26th November at the University of Nairobi.

The output of this side event will be a Diaspora Blue Economy Plan of Action that could be considered and adopted by diaspora stakeholders to enhance the role of the diaspora for national development and global solidarity.

Kenya's Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Amb. Macharia Kamau says the diaspora side event will activate and raise awareness on how to successfully invest in resource across countries with huge blue economy.

"There is a lot of innovations and a lot of industry but a lot of it is built around their huge enormous water resources and over the years if you look at European countries they’ve built their economies on the blue economy by venturing abroad,” he told Chams Media.

Further adding that, “Diasporas also help themselves by investing back home. Most of the resources that come for example in Kenya come from a Kenyan diaspora but they are investing for themselves their relatives and so on."

The Sustainable Blue Economy Conference will be co-hosted by Kenya, Japan and Canada and will bring together delegates from economies powered largely by oceanic and marine resources worldwide. Oceans and marine resources are acknowledged to be a playing critical role in advancing sustainable development in various countries.

Blue Economy covers the productive pillar of oceans, seas, lakes, and rivers including fisheries, aquaculture, transport, tourism and other related activities.

Amb. Macharia Kamau says the conference, which will also be attended by various heads of states, will act as a motivating factor as Kenya gears towards co-hosting the United Nations Oceans Conference in 2020 in partnership with Portugal.

“We have commitments from one of the greatest blue economy protagonists, the President of the Seychelles is coming, we have prime ministers and presidents from as far away as Fiji and Samoa and the Pacific Ocean coming,” he said.

“We are part of a global family and as you know Kenya will be hosting in 2020 the United Nations Oceans Conference. We have partnered with Portugal and its actually going to take place in Lisbon in Portugal so much of what is happening here is going to feed into the United Nations process.”

The event will take place between 26th and 28th November 2018 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre with the diaspora event happening at Taifa Hall in the University of Nairobi on November 26th.

Key points to note ahead of the Sustainable Blue Economy Conference

 

The Blue Economy covers the productive pillar of the oceans, seas, lakes and rivers including fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, transport, shipbuilding, energy, bio-prospecting, and underwater mining and related activities on the one hand. The sustainability pillar on the other hand includes sustainable exploitation and management, addressing ocean pollution, adverse impacts of climate change, acidification, coastal erosion and loss of biodiversity.

Kenya in collaboration with Canada will be hosting the first ever Global Sustainable Blue Economy Conference (SBEC) from 26th to 28th November. The main theme is the Blue Economy and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

What the Sustainable Blue Economy Conference means for Kenya 3

Amb. B.H.O. Ogutu, Ministry, Foreign Affairs

According to Amb. B.H.O Ogutu, Ministry Foreign Affairs, the Sustainable Blue Economy will benefit Kenya in a number of ways. Firstly, in terms of achievement of agenda 14 in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) come 2030. This SDG aims at sustainably managing and protecting marine life from pollution among other threats.

The SBEC will also be an opportunity for developing countries to understand how they can exploit these resources but in a more sustainable way. He says the Blue Economy involves all economic activities related such as marine transport, ship building and prepares, urban development among many others.

Kenya will also benefit from the developments that the Blue Economy has to offer. According to Am. B.H.O Ogutu, this event will be as inclusive as possible in order to attain prosperity in all we desire. The diaspora will also contribute to global development on matters Blue Economy.

There will also be a side event organized by the African Union Commission in conjunction with the United Nation Economic Commissions for Africa (UNECA) that will focus on the Blue Economy will be honoring two key people that have shown interest in matters Blue Economy will be the president of Seychelles and our own president, Uhuru Kenyatta.

He concludes by saying that the Sustainable Blue Economy Conference will be an opportunity to come up with a summary of the discussions which have taken place, the reports and recommendations which will be emanating from there and lastly, the joint communication which will express the views and the consensus that is coming out.

 

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