NAIROBI, March 6 (Xinhua) -- The fourth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA4) to be held in Nairobi next week is expected to stimulate conservation on revitalizing Africa's green agenda, an official said on Wednesday.
Juliette Biao Koudenoukpo, director of Regional Office for Africa at UN Environment said the five-day summit will devote special attention to innovations and best practices that can be adopted by African countries to hasten green growth.
"This year's UN Environment Assembly whose theme of innovation was initiated by African policymakers will adopt resolutions that could transform management of natural resources in the continent," Biao told a news conference in Nairobi.
More than 2,000 delegates will attend the fourth edition of UN Environment Assembly on March 11-15 and its theme will be "Innovative solutions for environmental challenges and sustainable consumption and production".
Environment ministers, scientists, industry executives, young entrepreneurs and campaigners expected at the forum will discuss key topics like food security, biodiversity loss, chemicals and waste management as well as sustainable business practices in the era of technological disruptions.
Biao said that African countries will lobby for attention to their key environmental priorities that include nexus between poverty and ecosystems degradation, pastoralism and sustainable blue economy.
"We look forward to adoption of resolutions that are relevant to African needs like creating green jobs for the youth and protection of ecosystems that support rural livelihoods," said Biao.
She said the forthcoming UN Environment Assembly will provide a platform for sharing knowledge that can be applied in local settings to stimulate green and inclusive growth in Africa.
The international community has supported Africa's quest for a transformation in the relationship between communities and ecosystems in the light of pressing ecological challenges like climate change, pollution and habitat loss.
Ado Lohmus, special envoy of the President of UNEA-4 said that African countries should leverage on good will from bilateral partners alongside home-grown innovations to boost resilience of communities amid huge mounting environmental challenges.
