29-Nov-2018: Sustainable Blue Economy Conference held in Nairobi, Kenya.

The Sustainable Blue Economy Conference was held from 26-28 November 2018 in Nairobi, Kenya. Under the theme “The Blue Economy and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” the conference gathered over 18,000 participants from 184 countries, including seven Heads of State and Government, 84 Ministers, and leaders from a wide range of sectors, including different levels of governments, science and academia, the scientific and research community, UN and other intergovernmental organizations, international organizations, business and private sector entities, non-governmental and civil society organizations, and ordinary citizens.

Throughout the three days of the conference, participants actively engaged in panel and other discussions focused on how to achieve the sustainable use and conservation of aquatic resources, including oceans, seas, lakes and rivers, for improved human wellbeing, social equity and healthy aquatic ecosystems. The discussions centred on the following nine key themes:

1. smart shipping, ports, transportation and global connectivity;
2. employment, job creation and poverty eradication;
3. cities, tourism, resilient coasts and infrastructure;
4. sustainable energy, mineral resources and innovative industries;
5. managing and sustaining marine life, conservation and sustainable economic activities;
6. ending hunger, securing food supplies and promoting good health and sustainable fisheries;
7. climate action, agriculture waste management and pollution-free oceans;
8. maritime security, safety and regulatory enforcement; and
9. people, culture, communities and societies – the inclusive blue economy.

During the multiple conference sessions and forums, representatives from governments, intergovernmental and international organizations, the private sector and civil society made hundreds of commitments to advance a sustainable Blue Economy in their respective countries and around the world, including 62 concrete commitments in the fields of marine protection, plastics and waste management, maritime safety and security, fisheries development, financing, infrastructure, biodiversity and climate change, technical assistance and capacity-building, private sector support, and partnerships.

In addition to those commitments, participants reflected on the critical threats and challenges facing the world’s oceans, seas, rivers and lakes and on the pressing need to preserve those Blue Economy resources in order to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and they exchanged valuable ideas and experiences on how to address such threats and challenges in order to harness the economic opportunities provided by Blue Economy resources while ensuring their sustainable use and management. A the end of the conference, it was clear that the take-away messages of the Sustainable Blue Economy Conference would have a lasting impact on how governments and other stakeholders view the Blue Economy in Africa and beyond. The messages conveyed the clear message that the Blue Economy must be sustainable, the planet’s ocean and water resources must be conserved and sustainably used, and need to consider oceans, lakes and rivers, as well as water- and land-based ecosystems, in a holistic manner. The messages were captured in the Nairobi Statement of Intent on Advancing the Global Sustainable Blue Economy.

This report provides a brief summary of the conference, focusing on the Leaders’ Commitment Segment, a number of selected side events on some of the key themes of the conference, and one of each of the Signature Thematic Sessions, the Business and Private Sector Forum and the Governors and Mayors Convention.

A Brief History of the Blue Economy: The UN Sustainable Development Summit in September 2015 saw the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs). In paragraph 33 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Member States recognize that “social and economic development depends on the sustainable management of our planet’s natural resources” and determine to “conserve and sustainably use oceans and seas, freshwater resources, as well as forests, mountains and dry-lands and to protect biodiversity, ecosystems and wildlife.”

Milestone events that accelerated the movement towards the first-ever global conference on a Blue Economy, include the following meetings.

The Global Oceans Action Summit for Food Security and Blue Growth took place from 22-25 April 2014, in The Hague, The Netherlands. For the first time, global leaders, ocean practitioners, scientists, and representatives from governments, business, civil society and international organizations convened to explore action-oriented partnerships, governance arrangements, investment frameworks and new financing vehicles to address the health of oceans. The Summit identified steps towards critical internationally agreed targets for fisheries, aquaculture, habitat protection and pollution reduction.

The high-level UN Conference to Support the Implementation of SDG 14: (Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development) was convened at the UN Headquarters in New York from 5-9 June 2017, coinciding with World Oceans Day, to support the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14. The Conference raised global consciousness on ocean issues and produced strong ambitious outcomes. The political declaration “Our ocean, our future: call for action” was adopted by the General Assembly on 6 July 2017 through resolution A/71/312. The resolution recognizes the oceans “as an engine for sustainable economic development and growth” and calls upon all stakeholders to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development by taking, inter alia, actions to support the promotion and strengthening of sustainable ocean-based economies.

The third UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-3) met from 4-6 December 2017, in Nairobi, Kenya. The Assembly adopted 11 resolutions and adopted, by consensus, a negotiated Ministerial Declaration, through which they agreed to address the pollution of air, land and soil, freshwater, and oceans. The resolutions called for accelerated action and strengthened partnerships to, inter alia, combat the spread of marine plastic litter and microplastics and address water pollution.

The High-Level Scientific Conference ‘From COP21 towards the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030)’ took place from 10-11 September 2018 in Paris, France, at the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The two-day conference synthesized recent scientific progress on ocean and climate interplays, evaluated the latest ocean-climate trends within the context of increased ocean action, and reflected on ways to move “from science to action” during the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).

The Sustainable Blue Economy Conference Report

Opening and Leaders’ Commitments Segment: The Sustainable Blue Economy Conference opened on 26 November with the Leaders’ Commitments segment, interspersed with videos on the themes of the nine Signature Thematic Sessions.

In her 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, while creating employment and reducing poverty. She highlighted the aim of the conference as identifying 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 collaborative approach to enhance decision making.

Keriako Tobiko, Cabinet Secretary, Kenyan Ministry of Environment and Forestry, said that economic development could not come at the expense of the environment, and that population growth would require innovative solutions to meet human needs. He stressed that the conference would provide a unique opportunity to discuss how blue resources could sustainably boost economic growth, create employment and tackle poverty.

In a dialogue on the global situation of the Blue Economy, Pavan Sukhdev, President, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) International, and Justin Mundy, World Resources Institute (WRI), reflected on the pillars of a Blue Economy, namely: productivity through accelerated economic growth, job creation and poverty alleviation; and sustainability through addressing climate change, controlling pollution, managing waste, and sustaining marine life.

The Leaders’ Commitments segment was introduced by Cabinet Secretary Juma on Monday, 26 November, when statements were read by representatives from governments, intergovernmental and international organizations, the private sector and civil society throughout the day. The Leaders’ Commitments segment continued on Wednesday, 28 November.

Highlights from these commitments include the following:

Marine Protection:

Implement a CAD$1.5 billion ocean protection plan project to enhance maritime safety and address protection of marine biodiversity (Canada);

Protect 10% marine and coastal areas by 2020 (Canada);

Restore mangrove forest to 5000ha by 2023 (Mozambique);

Support conversion of 30% of oceans into marine protected area by 2030 under its ‘30-by-30 strategy’ (UK);

Allocate US$5 million for marine protection and research (Namibia);

Increase marine protected areas (MPAs) by 11 million hectares to over 10% (Bahamas);

Designate 30% of exclusive economic zone (EEZ) as an MPA by 2030 (Tonga);

Contribute €40 Million to protect corals and reefs and €60 million for protection of MPAs in African countries (EU); and

Contribute US$1.5 million to build resilience to ocean acidification through technology innovation to protect shellfish and other aquaculture farms (Ocean Foundation).

Plastics and Waste Management:

Allocate US$100 million for improved ocean’s management and against dumping (Norway and World Bank);

Commits US$200 million for the next four years for development of initiatives to combat marine litter and microplastics (Norway);

Total ban on plastic utensils and polystyrene to come into effect in 2019 (Antigua & Barbuda);

Ban single-use plastic bags, straws and cans by 2020 (Bahamas);

Implement national zero-plastic pollution campaign (Timor Leste);

Commit to sustainable plastic-free tourism (Autonomous Region of Sao Tome and Principe);

Commit to plastic-free services in all its establishments (Java House Africa); and

Confront the challenge of waste management and plastic pollution (Kenya).

Maritime Safety and Security:

In 2018, enhance maritime surveillance and fishery protection by completing a €250 million naval vessel replacement programme and purchasing two marine patrol aircraft (Ireland);

In 2019/2010 contribute €32 million for three Pilatus 12 aircraft to enhance patrolling capability (Ireland);

Increase investment by €1.5 million to upgrade Naval Service ICT systems to support fishery protection regime in Ireland (Ireland);

Aggressively combat illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing, and enhance maritime security and safety (Kenya).

Fisheries Development:

Construction of hatchery to produce 10,000 MT, to become sub-Sahara Africa’s largest tilapia hatchery in 2019 (Victory Farms Limited East Africa);

Set aside €40 Million to support aquaculture value chains in African countries (African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, EU).

Financing:

Establish Trust Fund with the World Bank (PROBLUE) to help manage marine litter in developing countries (World Bank);

Mobilize nearly €44 billion of investment by 2020, including for the blue economy (EU - External Investment Plan);

Contribute US$33.3 Million into PROBLUE to support transition into blue economy and realization of SDG 14 (Sweden, through Swedish International Development and Cooperation Agency);

Issue the first Sovereign Blue Bond to the magnitude of US$15 million (Seychelles, in collaboration with the Global Environment Facility (GEF), World Bank and Prince of Wales Trust);

Introduce Debt-Swap for conservation - US$21.6 million (Seychelles, in collaboration with the Paris Club);

Establish a Blue Economy Bank to support the growth and development of the Blue Economy (Kenya)

Commit €10 million to develop water financing facilities through the Global Lab to unlock finance for low-carbon climate-resilient development (Netherlands); and

Support debt-free financing through Blue carbon bonds and other means of debt swaps (Nature Conservancy).

Infrastructure:

Invest US$120 billion to revolutionize 600 maritime logistics and port-led development projects in India (India- Sagarmala Programme);

Promote blue value chain, incorporating fisheries and tourism sectors (Namibia);

Commit to desalinate sea water for agriculture, domestic and industrial use (Namibia); and

Take measures to revive Kenya’s maritime transport and partnering with global shipping lines (Kenya).

Biodiversity and Climate Change:

Commit CAD$10 million Pacific Initiative for Biodiversity, Climate Change and Resilience (Canada, with EU, New Zealand and Australia); and

Protect fragile areas from climate change and unsustainable fishing poachers (Timor Leste).

Technical Assistance and Capacity Building:

Contribute CAD$20 million in increased technical assistance and capacity development to Small-Island Developing States (SIDS) (Canada);

Help African countries in capacity building in exploitation of deep seas exploitation (African Union (AU));

Establish an African Blue Economy Innovation and Research Centre, and the University of Nairobi Institute for Blue Economy and Ocean Studies (Kenya).

Private Sector Support:

Pledge CAD$153 million by the Government of Canada and private sector in an Ocean Supercluster to help build a knowledge-based ocean economy (Canada)

Invest in renewable energy in Africa including generation of energy from waste in Mombasa (Toyota Tshusho, Japan)

Ending Hunger, Securing Food Supplies and Promoting Good Health and Sustainable Fisheries:

This signature session was held on Tuesday, 27 November 2018, to discuss how to achieve food and nutrition security in a blue economy, in particular through sustainable fisheries, in order to meet the challenge of feeding a population of 9 billion by 2050.

Deputy Minister Blewett described Canada’s efforts to ensure sustainable fisheries for improved domestic food security through a science- and risk-based approach premised on the precautionary principle; its work in helping countries and poor and vulnerable communities to improve food security by promoting gender equality; and its commitment to achieving SDG 14.

Blewett and the other panelists highlighted among key issues:

the key role of fish and seafood, as high-quality sources of protein, in ensuring food security and nutrition;

the need to recognize the common objectives and links between the blue and green economies;

promoting gender equality and fair access to resources in food production could help to reduce chronic hunger in children and families and enhance the resilience and sustainability of food production;

ending IUU fishing, a serious global problem with an annual estimated cost ranging between US$10 and US$23 billion, was a pre-requisite of sustainable fisheries;

achieving sustainable fisheries would require dealing with abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear, which made up over half of marine litter and some of the most harmful debris, causing a decrease in fish stocks and affecting the livelihoods of fish-reliant communities;

the need to tackle marine plastic litter at source, including through waste prevention strategies;

stakeholder engagement, transparency and science-based approaches were critical to ensure sustainable fisheries and optimal decision-making; and

the need for a Blue Economy bank to support private sector investments in sustainable fisheries and partnerships with regional and international partners should be created to support the Blue Economy in Africa.

Building the Global Momentum on Marine/Aquatic Plastics Litter:

This side event took place on Tuesday, 27 November and focused on the themes of adopting a global perspective on plastics, and implementing and calling for actions on plastics.

Panelists from diverse sectors, including UN agencies, governments, the retail and manufacturing industries, NGOs and civil society, called on governments to develop robust regulations to change social behavior. Discussions also focused on:

1. methodologies and scientific analyses of plastic sources;
2. recycling initiatives;
3. engaging communities and the private sector to act as catalysts of circular economy;
4. creating incentives or subsidies to promote recycling and waste collection systems;
5. regional cooperation and partnerships;
6. promoting school education to raise public awareness on plastic waste;
7. technology innovation; and
8. individual’s successful attempts to push forward desired policies.

The conference had gathered over 16,000 participants from 184 countries, including heads of states and governments, ministers, mayors, governors, and business and civil society leaders, to discuss how the Blue Economy could be harnessed to promote sustainable economic development. He highlighted that consistent messages throughout the conference included:

• oceans, seas, lakes and rivers play a critical role in the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs;
• the negative impact of human activities on the viability of Blue Economy resources and the livelihoods they support are a serious concern;
• global collaboration is needed to harness opportunities and tackle the challenges affecting such resources;
• an enabling environment for investments is needed to fight illegal maritime activities;
• it is critical to involve all stakeholders, including women and youth, in the sustainable Blue Economy; and
• climate change, pollution, waste management and the destruction of marine ecosystems need to be addressed in a sustainable Blue Economy.

He highlighted commitments made during the multiple conference sessions and forums, including 62 concrete commitments to marine protection, which included investment commitments totaling hundreds of millions of dollars; plastics and waste management; maritime safety and security; fisheries development; financing; infrastructure; biodiversity and climate change; technical assistance and capacity-building; private sector support; and partnerships.

Presenting highlights from the Nairobi Statement of Intent, Minister Wilkinson said that implementing the commitments would require investments translated into bold actions. On behalf of the Canadian government, he announced contributions of: up to CAD$1 million to support the work of the UN Special Envoy to the Ocean; CAD$1.6 million to assist Pacific Islands to combat IUU fishing in their marine territories; and up to CAD$9.5 million to advance activities related to the UN’s Decade of Ocean Science. He called on all participants to join his country in establishing a Knowledge Hub to advanced science in the field of oceans and marine resources.

During a moderated discussion on the read outs and enablers of the Blue Economy, Juma reiterated the importance of partnerships and dialogue and integrated sustainable planning to deal with fresh water, land and the ocean as a whole. Wilkinson highlighted the importance of leadership and political will to find technical solutions to end plastic pollution, and of adopting available technologies to assist small countries in combating IUU fishing.

Juma drew attention to the ‘Nairobi Statement of Intent on Advancing the Global Sustainable Blue Economy,’ which encompassed the vision and intent of all Blue Economy Conference participants, expressing the hope that it would guide all future action and collaboration on the Blue Economy.

Wilkinson applauded the enthusiastic participation in providing substance to the principles of building a sustainable Blue Economy.

Peter Thomson envisioned that the second UN Oceans Conference to take place in Lisbon, Portugal in June 2020, would build on the achievements of the Blue Economy Conference, the key messages of which, including the need to look at water and land resources holistically, he promised to bring these “to all oceans’ meetings.”

In closing remarks, President Kenyatta stressed that the “truly global representation and the far-reaching and collectively beneficial outcomes of the conference demonstrated the transformative power of multilateralism.” He highlighted commitments made, including: the development of solid environmental standards; the strengthening of political leadership and international collaboration; the provision of support to poorer countries to address threats such as UUI fishing; and the enhancement of research and data analysis.

The Nairobi Statement of Intent on Advancing the Global Sustainable Blue Economy: The messages captured during the three days of the Conference reflected the critical threats and challenges facing the world’s oceans, seas, rivers and lakes and on the pressing need to preserve those Blue Economy resources in order to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Key messages heard at the Conference include the importance of:

• Promoting action-oriented global strategies that place people and the Blue Economy resources at the center of sustainable development as a contribution to the realization of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs;
• Promoting collaboration for sustainable partnerships and projects in the various sectors of the Blue Economy for economic growth, poverty alleviation and conservation of the resources for the present and future generations through a multi-sectoral approach;
• Promoting mobilization of finance from public and private sources, access to technologies and innovations as well as capacity building among local, national and international stakeholders for the full realization of the potential of the blue economy;
• Promoting the role of women in the Blue Economy and identifying the barriers and opportunities to further empower women and encourage their role in positions of leadership;
• Recognizing that gender equality and the empowerment of women will build a more peaceful, inclusive and prosperous world;
• Strengthening science and research to generate and disseminate evidence-based knowledge and information on advancing the sustainable Blue Economy;
• Strengthening science-policy interface of the Blue Economy resources to inform decision-making;
• Strengthening governance mechanisms for a sustainable Blue Economy including by raising awareness and ensuring stakeholder participation in policy and decision making;
• Promoting synergies between local authorities and national governments in the implementation of decisions on Blue Economy, including through the Governors and Mayors Global Forum for the Sustainable Blue Economy (SBE 1000); and
• Sharing innovations, technologies, and best practices and experiences within and across regions.