Kenya will host the First Forum of the Monitoring for Environment and Security in Africa (MESA)

By African Union Commission (AUC)
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ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, August 27, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Kenya will host the First Forum of the Monitoring for Environment and Security in

Africa (MESA)

What

The African Union Commission in collaboration with the Government of Republic of Kenya and with the support of the European Union, has organised the First Forum of the Monitoring for Environ- ment and Security in Africa (MESA) under the theme “Streamlining MESA products and services towards the decision making cycle in support of sustainable environmental management”.

During the Forum, Earth Observation issues will be discussed; best practices will be shared; MESA Products and Services will be exhibited and a visit to a MESA project site is also planned. The forum is one of the tools for sharing information and gathering feedback from African stakeholders for the realisation of the project objectives.

Where When Who

Why

Mezzanine Floor, Crowne Plaza Hotel, in Nairobi, Kenya

31 August - 04 September 2015.

Opening

• Welcome Remarks by H.E. Ambassador (Eng.) Mahboub Maalim, Executive Secretary, Inter - Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD)

• Remarks by H. E. Jean-Claude de l Estrac, Secretary General of the Indian Ocean Commission

(IOC), Current Chairperson of the MESA Programme Steering Committee

• Remarks by Mrs. Anna BURYLO, Counsellor, Head of Cooperation, European Union Delegation

to the African Union

• Statement by H.E. Mrs. Rhoda Peace Tumusiime, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agricul-

ture, African Union Commission (AUC)

• GUEST OF HONOR- Statement by Hon. Prof. Judi Wakhungu, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Water and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kenya

Press Conference Speakers

• H.E. Ambassador (Eng.) Mahboub Maalim, Executive Secretary, Inter- Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD)

• H. E. Jean-Claude de l Estrac, Secretary General of the Indian Ocean Commission, Current Chair-

person of the MESA Programme Steering Committee

• Mrs. Anna BURYLO, Counsellor, Head of Cooperation, European Union Delegation to the African

Union

• H.E. Mrs. Rhoda Peace Tumusiime, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, African

Union Commission

• Hon. Prof. Judi Wakhungu, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Water and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kenya

• Dr. Joseph Mukabana, WMO - RA1 Director and AMCOMET (African Ministerial Conference

on Meteorology) Secretariat

• Representatives of AMCEN and Representative of AMCOW

The forum will draw participants from all the 48 participating countries and other stakeholders from

within and outside Africa. 250 decision and policy makers, planners, users and experts are expected

to attend the Forum to discuss and analyse how Earth Observation accessed through the

MESA Project, supports policy, planning and decision making at national, regional and continental

Institutions mandated for agriculture, environment, climate, fisheries, food security etc.

Why

By making accessible Earth Observation Data to support African decision-makers and planers in designing and implementing national, regional and continental policies and development plans to- wards sustainable development, thereby advancing the socio-economic progress and well-being of African population. Also, to share best practices of the use of Earth Observation services and products among users.

About MESA

The MESA Project is a European Union funded Programme (37 Million €, 2012-2017), implemented with the overall coordination of the African Union Commission and steering by the African Regional Economic Communities and Inter- Governmental Organizations (CEMAC, ECOWAS, IGAD, IOC and SADC) and the ACP Secretariat, in close cooperation with the European Union Delegation to the African Union and partners such as EUMETSAT and the EC Joint Research Centre.

The objective of the MESA project is to support African decision-makers and planers in designing and implementing national, regional and continental policies and development plans towards sustainable development, thereby advancing the socio-economic progress and well-being of African populations.

The Project is implemented by the African Regions through their specialized technical institutions including the Botswana Department of Meteorological Services and SADC Climate Services Centre for the Southern Africa Develop- ment Community (SADC) region, the International Commission.

The Media is invited to cover the opening ceremony and Press Conference on Monday, 31 August 2015, at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Nairobi, from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM.