Climate Change, Biodiversity and Ecosystems in East Africa
Ecosystems in East Africa are rapidly changing not only in response to temperature and rainfall changes but also due to other pressures, including the destruction of habitats from land-use changes, degradation, fragmentation, and biodiversity loss. This webinar aims at increasing knowledge and raising awareness on the implications of climate change on ecosystems and Biodiversity in East Africa. The 2018 International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on 1.5°C (https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/) warns that allowing a global warming beyond 1.5°C will result in climate change impacts that are harmful to people and for ecosystems.
Panelists
Mr. Levis Kavagi
Regional coordinator, ecosystems and biodiversity United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)Topic: Climate Change and Policies on Trans-Boundary Ecosystems Services
Mr. Levis Kavagi is the regional coordinator, ecosystems and biodiversity at the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), a position he has held since 2015. In his career Mr Levis is an expert at both Integrated Water Resources Management and Natural Resources Management.
Dr. Soobaschand Sweenarain (Sunil)
Project Coordinator ECOFISH Program European Union (EU)Topic: Climate Change and Sustainable Marine Ecosystems: Challenges and Opportunities
Dr Sweenarain is a Natural Resource Economist and Project Management Professional with nearly three decades of hands-on experience and interdisciplinary capabilities in the sustainable and integrated development of coastal fisheries resources and natural environments. In the Western Indian Ocean region, he has contributed to several regional marine fisheries and environment-related programmes, such as the EU-IOC Regional Tuna Projects 1987-1998, RECOMAP, ISLANDS, SMARTFISH etc. Currently, Dr Sunil is holding the position of Fisheries Economist and Technical Coordinator of the EU-funded ECOFISH Programme for enhancing sustainable, integrated and responsible inland and marine fisheries in the EA-SA-IO region.
Mr. Alfred Gichui
Forest Conservation Secretary Ministry of Environment and Forestry, KenyaTopic: Nature based solutions: challenges and opportunities: A perspective from Kenya
Mr. Alfred Gichui is the forest conservation secretary at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Kenya. He has 29 years’ experience in Forest Conservation and Management, National REDD+ coordinator and Focal Point, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Head: Climate Change Response Programme, Kenya Forest Service. He has ensured that the climate change issues are well articulated and incorporated in the forest management, the mitigation and the adaptation. This will lead to sustainable landscapes management.
Dr. Tidiane Ouattara
Space Expert coordinating African Space Programme and GMES & Africa GMES & AfricaTopic: Earth Observation for Climate Change and ecosystems in the context of the African Space Policy and African Union Agenda 2063
Dr. Tidiane Ouattara received a PhD and a master’s degree, both in Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS) from Sherbrooke University (Canada) respectively in 2001 and 1996. He also holds a master’s degree in physical geography from Université de Cocody-Abidjan (Côte-d’Ivoire). Dr. Ouattara is currently Space Science Expert and Coordinator for GMES & Africa Programme. Fluently speaking English, French and Spanish, he has gained tremendous experience in international relations and business development, research and development (R&D), strategic policy development and program management issues related to environment, natural resources, and sciences and technology. Indeed Dr. Ouattara began his career in Canada as lecturer at Sherbrooke University from 1996 to 2001.
Dr. Eshete Dejen
AG. Pprogramme Manager Environment Protection, Agriculture & Environment Division IGADdiscussant
Topic: Reactions to Presentations with Reference to IGAD interventions
Eshete Dejen (PhD) is an Ethiopian National currently working as PM Environment Protection, Agriculture and Environment Division of IGAD, Djibouti. He did his MS and PhD in Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands. Prior joining IGAD he served the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia at various capacities and responsibilities. He served as lecturer, researcher and director at various Institutes. He published more than 50 scientific papers, books and book chapters. He has advised more than 25 MSc and PhD students. March 2009 till February 2014 he served as fisheries technical officer at FAO Subregional office for Eastern Africa (FAO-SFE) and provided technical backstopping for 8 Eastern African countries. He developed fisheries strategy for Eastern Africa while he was working at FAO and a book on interregional fish trade in IGAD region. He also developed IGAD regional fisheries and aquaculture and Blue Economy strategy. He mobilized resources from different development partners.