Odisha Government Launches Strategic Workshop on Blue and Green Economy Integration
The Odisha state government has taken a significant step toward enhancing climate resilience and fostering sustainable economic growth by inaugurating a comprehensive two-day workshop in Bhubaneswar. Titled 'Leveraging Blue and Green Economy for a Resilient Future', this strategic initiative commenced on Thursday, bringing together a diverse array of stakeholders to chart a sustainable development pathway for the state.
Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration for Sustainable Vision
Organized by the State Sustainable Development Goals cell under the planning and convergence department, the workshop serves as a collaborative platform. It unites senior policymakers, experts from prominent national institutions, academics, representatives from United Nations agencies, and civil society organizations. The primary objective is to deliberate on actionable strategies that align with Odisha's long-term developmental vision of Viksit Odisha @2036.
This initiative aims to seamlessly integrate blue and green economy approaches, focusing on three critical areas:
- Climate Resilience: Building adaptive capacity to withstand environmental challenges.
- Inclusive Growth: Ensuring economic benefits reach all sections of society.
- Livelihood Security: Creating sustainable employment and income opportunities.
Leadership Insights and Policy Imperatives
During the inaugural session, Development Commissioner Deoranjan Kumar Singh emphasized the pivotal role of the green economy in harmonizing economic progress with environmental stewardship. He articulated the necessity for innovative policy frameworks and enhanced cross-sectoral coordination to bolster long-term resilience against escalating climate threats.
Ashish Chaturvedi, Head of the Environment, Energy, and Resilience pillar at UNDP India, underscored India's steadfast commitment to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. He highlighted the importance of structured blue and green economy frameworks in driving this national agenda forward.
Comprehensive Technical Deliberations
The workshop features an extensive agenda comprising six technical sessions with contributions from twenty-one distinguished speakers. Participants represent a wide spectrum of esteemed institutions, including:
- NITI Aayog
- Tata Institute of Social Sciences
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Water Management
- IIT-Bhubaneswar
- Berhampur University
- Marine Products Export Development Authority
- UNDP India
Discussions on the opening day centered around the foundational pillars of the green economy. Key topics explored included:
- The creation and promotion of green jobs to support sustainable employment.
- Advancements in climate-smart agriculture to enhance food security.
- Strategies for ensuring water security in the face of climate variability.
- Mechanisms for environmental financing to fund sustainability projects.
- Promoting responsible consumption and production patterns.
This workshop marks a proactive effort by the Odisha government to embed sustainability at the core of its developmental planning, aiming to create a resilient and prosperous future for the state amidst global environmental challenges.
