By George George Idowu
The 4th United States-West Africa Atlantic Coastal Resilience Research Consortium (US-WA CRRC) kicks off this Monday at the Lagos State University, LASU, Ojo, Lagos.
The Chair and Co-Convener of the research consortium, Prof. Jimmy Adegoke disclosed this to NatureNews at the weekend.
The three-day event, themed “Harnessing the Blue and Marine Economy in support of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development,” will focus on pressing issues of coastal erosion, flooding, and other threats to coastal communities in West Africa.
Prof. Adegoke said this year’s workshop aims to bring together a diverse group of researchers from multiple U.S. institutions in collaboration with leading institutions and agencies from West African coastal countries.
According to the world renowned scholar, “the consortium’s efforts are aimed at developing and implementing research strategies to better understand and address the physical processes that endanger the region’s coastlines.”
Professor Adegoke, who is also an Advisory Board member of NatureNews, Africa’s leading environment newspaper, emphasised the importance of the workshop in fostering international collaboration to address coastal resilience in West Africa.
He said the participants will discuss challenges and opportunities in harnessing the Blue Economy, explore best practices, and share innovative approaches to sustainable development.
He disclosed that keynote speakers from around the world are expected to grace the event, adding global perspectives to the discussions in the global efforts to protect and sustainably develop the region’s coastal resources.
Prof. Adegoke explained that the workshop, which will be hosted both in-person and virtually, has other objectives, including raising awareness about the blue bconomy’s potential for driving economic growth and environmental sustainability.
Registration for the workshop is available online via the workshop’s official website and onsite at Lagos State University on the first day, while other details, including information on technical sessions could be accessed through Ms. Funmi Eyeoyibo at info.uswacrrc@gmail.com.
