IORA Secretariat presents inform that the IORA Blue Carbon Hub has submitted its proposal for the 5th Think Tank Meeting on “Opportunities for using nature, biodiversity and carbon markets to support sustainable management of coastal ecosystems”, which will be held on 10-12 September 2024 in Phuket, Thailand.

The 5th Think Tank meeting is being organized by the IORA Blue Carbon Hub, in collaboration with the Thailand Department of Marine and Coastal Resources and the IORA Secretariat. The meeting will provide IORA Member States with an opportunity to learn more about the potential to use market mechanisms to finance protection and restoration and generate livelihood opportunities for coastal communities. The objectives of this ‘think tank’ meeting are:

  1. to convene experts to present on the constraints to and opportunities for using market mechanisms (including nature, biodiversity and carbon markets) to support protection and restoration activities;
  2. to identify the barriers to effective and sustainable nature finance, and potential solutions to those barriers;
  3. to provide a forum where the private sector, policymakers and practitioners can engage in discussions and discuss best practices;
  4. to build awareness and capacity in nature finance in IORA;
  5. to encourage IORA Member States to think about practical extensions of the options discussed in their unique contexts;
  6. to exchange information about finance mechanisms and policy frameworks.

In this regard, the Secretariat kindly requests the Member States and Dialogue Partners to nominate their participant for the workshop. It is suggested that Member States and Dialogue Partners nominate a representative from government or civil society with responsibility for developing or implementing policies and actions regarding management and use of coastal resources. Delegates with responsibility for generating and managing financial resources to support coastal management would also benefit from attending. All nominations must be endorsed by the relevant National Focal Point, which is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Member States/Dialogue Partners.

Full hospitality will be extended to one participant from each eligible Member State: Bangladesh, Comoros, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand and Yemen. Full hospitality will cover an economy class air ticket, accommodation, transport to and from the airport, and selected meals during the meeting.

In view of the above, it would be highly appreciated if the Member States and Dialogue Partners could nominate and requests their nominees by latest Monday 5 August 2024.

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