Natural Capital, Resilience and Sustainable Development in Eastern Africa 6 th Scientific and Policy Conference UNEP, Gigiri, Nairobi 28 – 30 August 2013

Abstract

The Rio+20 meeting held in June 2012 in Brazil concluded with a package of commitments for action and a broad agreement by world leaders to shape a more sustainable future for the benefit of the planet and its people. World leaders approved the outcome document for Rio+20, entitled “The Future We Want”. In their statement of a common vision, world leaders recognized that poverty eradication, promoting sustainable patterns of consumption and production, and promoting transition to a green economy through integrated and sustainable management of natural resources and ecosystems as the overarching objectives of and essential requirements for sustainable development. The leaders envisaged that a green growth pathway would support economic, social and human development while facilitating ecosystem conservation, regeneration and resilience in the face of new and emerging global challenges. The national vision statements and development blue prints of the countries in the Eastern African region are now being aligned to the principles of green growth. As economies that are heavily reliant on natural capital, yet confronted by the headwinds of rapid population growth, extreme poverty and the potential adverse impacts of climate change, policy for economic growth in the region must be supported by a strong science evidence-base to achieve a sustainable balance between environment and equitable socioeconomic development. The Ecological Society for Eastern Africa, in collaboration with key partners will convene the 6th Scientific and Policy Conference on the 28-30 August, 2013. As the first sustainbility conference in Eastern Africa since Rio+20, this seminal conference will build on common vision of world leaders by providing a forum to examine sustainable development in the region by examining broad dimensions of natural capital and resilience as critical elements in the delivery of a green growth pathway. Conference objectives The Natural Capital, Resilience and Sustainable Development in Eastern Africa is open to any one with an interest in, and concern for, scientific, policy and strategic perspectives in harnessing natural capital for resilient and equitable green economic growth. It will address a range of critically important themes relating to the urgent issues of poverty, climate change, ecological scarcity, rapid population growth, and urbanization. More importantly, the conference aims to provide a platform for mainstreaming African intellectual and scholarly output in the global discourse on the green economy and sustainable development goals. Plenary speakers will include some of the world’s eminent thought leaders and practitioners. The main objectives for this conference are to: a. Explore options of ecological resilience in natural and managed systems: including croplands and urban areas; b. Show opportunities for integration of environment into social and economic development agenda based on rigorous valuation and accounting for biodiversity and vital ecosystem services; c. Provide possible solution approaches to achieve low carbon economy, resource efficiency, resilient and inclusive growth especially in the face of climate change, globalization and rapid population growth; d. Advance coherent science evidence-base to inform/influence policy and decision making.