WGEO Panel Discussion
Speakers:
Mr. Sangmin Nam, Director, Environment and Development Division, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
Mr. Fataï Aina, Executive Director, Friends of French-speaking Africa (AMAF-BENIN), Benin
Mr. Martial Bernoux, Senior Natural Resources Officer, Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment, Food and Agriculture Organization
Mr. Davis Buyondo, Journalist/Audio Producer, Been At; Vision Group (New Vision)
Nature-based solutions (NBS) offer a cost-effective and sustainable approach to addressing climate change. By harnessing the power of natural ecosystems, NBS can provide a range of benefits, including climate mitigation, adaptation, and biodiversity conservation. Recent reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)[1] emphasize the importance of NBS in addressing climate challenges and achieving sustainable development goals.
Investing in NBS can yield significant returns in terms of climate mitigation, adaptation, and ecosystem services. However, it is essential to consider the specific context and needs of different regions when implementing NBS projects. Key factors to consider include:
How can investments in nature-based solutions be effectively leveraged for climate change adaptation and mitigation?
What are the benefits and challenges of investing in these solutions?
How can multi-stakeholder partnerships enhance the implementation of nature-based solutions?
WGEO Panel Discussion
H.E. Nilda Borges Da Mata, Minister, Ministry of the Environment, Sao Tome and Principe
Mr. David Ainsworth, Head of Communications, Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, UNEP
Mr. Garth Simon, Monitoring and Evaluation Associate, Department of Environment/ Sustainable Island Resource Framework Fund, Antigua and Barbuda
Ms. Osprey Orielle Lake, Founder and Executive Director, Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network
Mr. Davis Buyondo, Journalist/Audio Producer, Been At; Vision Group (New Vision)
Biodiversity loss is a major global crisis with far-reaching consequences, including climate change, food insecurity, and human health risks. Protecting biodiversity is essential for building resilience to climate change and ensuring a sustainable future. Recent reports by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) highlight the urgent need for biodiversity conservation and restoration.
Biodiversity plays a critical role in climate regulation, carbon sequestration, and ecosystem resilience. Protecting and restoring biodiversity can help to mitigate climate change impacts, such as extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and water scarcity.
Key strategies for biodiversity conservation include:
What are the most critical strategies for protecting biodiversity to enhance climate resilience?
How can conservation efforts be aligned with local and global climate action plans?
What role does community involvement play in successful biodiversity conservation initiatives?
WGEO Panel Discussion
H.E. Thoriq Ibrahim, Minister of Climate Change, Environment & Energy, Maldives
Dr. Kenrick Williams, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management, Belize
Mr. Sebastian Osborn, Global Policy Manager, Mercy for Animals, France
Ms. Maxine Joselow, Climate Reporter, The Washington Post
The world’s oceans play a crucial role in regulating the climate and providing essential ecosystem services. However, they are facing unprecedented threats from human activities and climate change, including pollution, overfishing, and ocean acidification.
Protecting and restoring marine ecosystems is essential for building climate resilience and ensuring a sustainable future.
Recent reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)[1] highlight the urgent need for ocean conservation and climate action. By protecting marine ecosystems, we can mitigate climate change, adapt to its impacts, and secure a sustainable future for generations to come.
Enhancing ocean resilience and marine conservation requires a multifaceted approach that addresses the root causes of ocean degradation.
Key strategies include:
What strategies are essential for enhancing the resilience of ocean ecosystems?
How can marine conservation efforts be integrated with broader climate action strategies?
What role does international collaboration play in successful marine conservation and resilience?
Joint Session by WGEO & MENA Oceans Initiative
Ms. Anuradha Bhattacharya, Programmes and Partnerships Director, MENA Oceans
Ambassador Peter Thomson, UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for the Oceans
Ms. Sevinj Sarukhanova, Senior Advisor to High-level Champion for COP29, Environmental Expert
Ms. Tatiana Antonelli Abella, Founder and Managing Director – Goumbook/ Chair of Advisory Board – MENA Oceans Initiative
Mr. Amjad Abdulla, Special Advisor to the Director General, World Green Economy Organization
Ms. Urvashi Narain, Lead Environmental Economist, Programme Lead – Planet, The World Bank
Ms. Savina Carluccio, Executive Director, International Coalition for Sustainable Infrastructure
Ms. Nafesha Richardson, Climate Change Sectorial Chairperson, Office of the Prime Minister, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Ms. Jamila El Mir, Senior Advisor to COP28 UAE, High Level Climate Champion
The MENA region, with its expansive coastline stretching over 25,000 kilometers, is home to nations that are all coastal economies, strategically positioned along key bodies of water such as the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea. This unique geographical advantage places the region at the heart of the global blue economy, with key sectors including, fisheries and aquaculture, maritime transport and logistics, offshore energy and renewables, desalination and water management, coastal tourism, and marine biotechnology.
These sectors not only contribute to economic growth but have also been identified as active drivers to advance environmental sustainability and coastal resilience across the region. Marked by extreme temperatures and climate vulnerabilities, the resilience of these identified sectors and their infrastructure is also increasingly at risk.
In recent years, countries have prioritized the development of sustainable strategies for the oceans, with national strategies now integrating ocean and coastal zone regeneration into broader blue economy development frameworks.
To bring forth a global understanding of advancements in dialogues, research and best practices on this critical link between industry and nature, and its relevance for the region – the session will explore the intersection of blue economies and coastal resilience, specifically within the context of urban coastal economies, highlighting how MENA nations can leverage maritime assets and urban planning to build more resilient, sustainable coastal futures.
Bringing together thought leaders and experts across ocean governance, climate financing and the private sector – discussions aim to highlight the pivotal role of the private sector, as well as the importance of strengthened public-private partnerships and innovative financing mechanisms.
Focused on urban coastal cities—key economic drivers across the MENA region—discussions will center on how these partnerships can accelerate progress towards achieving SDG 14, calling for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas, and marine resources.
This session further marks two important milestones:
MENA Oceans has been established by Goumbook to drive multilateral efforts that accelerate the pace of regional ocean action, and strengthen thematic regional alliances between diverse stakeholder groups. We lead this Initiative in strategic partnership with the UN Climate Change High Level Champions, the UN-UAE, the World Green Economy Organisation and the UN Ocean Conference.
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