180 countries to participate at Blue Economy conference next week

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tuesday hosted a session with countries sponsoring the forthcoming Sustainable Blue Economy Conference, Kenya’s inaugural ocean economy summit.

Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma met among others, representatives of Canada and Japan who are co-hosting the three-day event commencing on November 26 to the tune of 300 million shillings each.

“A number of countries have also joined in as co-sponsors. To the Governments and peoples of – China with a pledge of Ksh 20 Million, Fiji with a pledge of Ksh 500 Thousand, France with a pledge of Ksh 300 Thousand.” CS Amb. Juma

Juma confirmed that as per Monday evening, 180 countries had confirmed their participation and 11,571 participants had registered to attend the conference.

The two co-hosts are funding the conference alongside China, South Africa, Qatar, Fiji and the United Kingdom.

Others are Portugal, Norway, and Nigeria. Among foreign leaders expected to attend the conference are Seychelles President Danny Faure who was last week named the African Union champion for the Blue Economy.

Others are Namibia’s Hage Geingob, Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, Congo’s Sassou Nguesso, Somali’s Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, and Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama.