By Tobby Otum
President William Ruto said his government is committed to different model of growth.
He explained the model combines economic opportunity with conservation through offshore renewable energy, “the transition to circular and biodegradable materials, sustainable fisheries and inclusive national Sustainable Ocean Plans.”
President Ruto however reiterated that commitments without the means to deliver will never match the urgency of the scale of what the ocean now demands from their end.
He was speaking at the closing ceremony of the 11th Our Ocean Conference held at Tembo International Convention Centre at PrideInn Flamingo Beach Resort & Spa in Mombasa county. President of Zanzibar, Hussein Ali Mwinyi and Deputy Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia Salah Ahmed Jama were in attendance.
The head of state told the over 6,000 delegates from 56 countries that they must find new and bolder ways to mobilize finance, deploy technology and innovation, including building capacity.
President Ruto empasised the need of making existing ocean frameworks work together rather than apart.
"The cost of protecting the ocean cannot keep falling on those who did the least to harm it,” he pointed out.Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Hassan Ali Joho described the forum as been enriched by academic symposia, youth forums and business dialogues that brought together researchers, young leaders and innovators from across the world.
