Over a hundred participants from the Government, the National Assembly, the Economic, Social and Environmental council, local authorities, civil society and the private sector, gathered to discuss policy frameworks and strategies to stimulate action for a green economy in Senegal.
The main goal of the two-day event was to provide a platform for exchange and sharing experiences on the transition to a green economy in Senegal.
The 1st edition of PAGE Week Senegal “The Transition to a Green Economy in Senegal: political and strategic framework to stimulate action” was hosted by the Government of Senegal under the auspices of the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development and in collaboration with the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE).
In his introductory speech, ILO Director-General Guy Ryder, on behalf of the five UN agencies behind PAGE, emphasised the importance of issues related to the transition to a green economy for inclusive and sustainable growth, green industry and the creation of green jobs in Senegal.
The representative of the Ministry of Labor, Social Dialogue, Professional Organizations and Relations with institutions stressed the relevance of green economy for the Plan Senegal Emergent (PSE) in relation to growth and the structural transformation of the economy, as well as to human capital, social protection and sustainable development.
The representative of Senegal’s Economic, Social and Environmental Council (EESC) welcomed the involvement of the EESC in the production of a strategy paper on green economy in the country, remarking that a green economy approach can create many job opportunities. She also highlighted the need to further stimulate trade and engagement with the EESC members.
The representative of the National Assembly and Chairman of the Parliamentary Network for the Environment in Senegal (REPES), emphasised the association between elected representatives and practices and activities related to PAGE in Senegal, while underlining the substantial contribution that elected representatives can provide in terms of analysis and policy formulation on green economy in Senegal.
Senegal’s Minister of the Environment and Sustainable Development pointed out that green economy is operating in the country, by referring to the statement of the President of the Republic of Senegal, according to which “green economy must be part of a growth momentum, social justice and poverty eradication, since the aim is to break a vicious circle in which environmental degradation is both a cause and consequence of poverty”. He also pointed out that green economy is not limited to the environmental agenda as it covers all segments of the economic, social and environmental arenas in Senegal. He concluded by emphasizing the role of PAGE in creating synergies between all initiatives that contribute to the promotion of a green economy in Senegal.
Specifically, the 1st edition of PAGE Week Senegal aimed at:
- Validating a National Strategy for Promotion of Green Jobs;
- Sharing a programme to support the creation of green jobs, green job opportunities;
- Validating and sharing the results of various studies commissioned by PAGE;
- Presenting and disseminating of national experiences in promoting the green economy and related best practices;
- Identification of areas of collaboration among stakeholders;
- Adopting recommendations for developing a roadmap for future actions of PAGE.
The event was divided into the following sessions:
- Session 1: Opening and launch of the Days of the Green Economy;
- Session 2: Policy and Operational Framework of green jobs / SNEV / PACEV
- Session 3: Evaluation of the green industry;
- Session 4: initiatives aimed at supporting the transition to a green economy;
- Session 5: Role of local institutions and officials and strategic directions;
- Session 6: PAGE Outlook and actors