4TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP

19TH – 21ST AUGUST, 2024 LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY LAGOS, NIGERIA
US-WEST AFRICA COASTAL RESILIENCE RESEARCH CONSORTIUM (CRRC)
3
Days
6+
Sessions
3+
Workshops

About US-WEST AFRICA COASTAL RESILIENCE RESEARCH CONSORTIUM (CRRC)

Globally, coastal areas are under severe pressure from a range of anthropogenic and natural threats. In West Africa, coastal erosion and flooding severely threaten communities, livelihoods, safety and infrastructure all along the coastline. Other threats include stronger storms and rising seas that are causing massive erosion problems along the coast; beaches are being destroyed because they are deeply mined for sand; and protective mangroves being deforested to urban expansion and oil industry activities in parts of the region. The West African coastline extends for almost 4,000km from Senegal to Cameroun. About one-third of the region’s people, estimated at 382 million and growing by four percent each year, live in the coastal areas. The African Development Bank (AfDB) estimates that about 42% of West Africa’s GDP is generated from its coastal areas.
The US-West Africa Atlantic Coastal Resilience Research Consortium (CRRC) brings together a diverse and interdisciplinary group of researchers from multiple US institutions in collaboration with several leading institutions and agencies from coastal countries in West African to develop and implement a joint research plan to better understand the physical processes that impact and threaten the region’s coastlines. The CRRC aims to improve the ability of people in West African coastal regions to adapt to changing environmental conditions by addressing critical coastal resilience gaps through targeted research and capacity development efforts. The CRRC’s 4th International Workshop will bring together various stakeholders from the US and across West Africa to explore strategies for developing a sustainable Blue Economy. Emphasis will be on the North Atlantic Ocean and its adjacent coastal marine environments

Workshop Objectives:

The workshop will provide an opportunity for marine, atmospheric, ocean science and social science communities to explore strategies for developing a sustainable blue economy with the following specific objectives

  • Raise awareness about the Blue Economy and its potential for economic growth and environmental sustainability.
  • Discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with harnessing the Blue Economy.
  • Explore best practices and innovative approaches for sustainable Blue Economy development.
  • Foster collaboration and build networks among stakeholders in the Blue Economy sector.
  • Develop actionable recommendations for policy and practice.
  • Develop strategic projects and programmes, which may be regional in scope, and which could potentially trigger funding from a range of sources, including climate funds, inter-governmental agencies and multilateral development banks.

Workshop Hosts & Co-Sponsors

This three-day hybrid (in-person and virtual) workshop will be jointly hosted by multiple institutions in Nigeria led by Lagos State University (LASU). Major co-sponsors of the workshop include

  • the Federal Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy
  • the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) Nigeria
  • Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET)
  • Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)
  • Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR)
  • Ministry of Environment and Water Resources Lagos State
  • Ministry of Health Lagos State
  • several universities in Nigeria, including University of Benin, Igbinedion University Okada, University of Calabar, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State University, and Niger Delta University.

Workshop Partners

This workshop is organized by the CRRC as a contribution to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Collaborating partners include

  • UN agencies
  • Multilateral and intergovernmental organizations
  • international marine/ocean science institutions/organizations such as the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Union Commission (AU)
  • Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO
  • the Decade Collaborative Center for Coastal Resilience (DCC-CR) Bologna, Italy
  • Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS)-Africa
  • Nansen-Tutu Centre for Marine Environmental Research Cape Town, South Africa
  • Centre for Coastal Management Cape Coast, Ghana; and several other institutions in the Global South

Workshop Participants

The Workshop will bring together practitioners and researchers with expertise in environmental economics, climate and environmental science; fisheries and marine science; sociology; renewable energy, environmental law, and climate finance from the following institutions and agencies:

  • Relevant Ministries Departments and Agencies: Environment, Finance, Water Resources/Coastal Affairs
  • Government officials responsible for maritime affairs, fisheries, environment, and economic development
  • Private sector representatives from industries such as fisheries, aquaculture, marine renewable energy, and tourism.
  • Civil society organizations with a focus on ocean conservation and sustainable development..
  • Local communities dependent on ocean resources for their livelihoods.
  • Research Institutions
  • Bilateral/Multilateral Agencies working within that space, e.g., World Bank, UNEP, ECOWAS, UNDP

Event Starts In:

Submit Abstract

Theme::
Harnessing The Blue & Marine Economy In Support of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development


Sub-themes ::

  • Capacity building for marine science and the blue economy
  • Sustaining Africa’s living marine resources: challenges and opportunities
  • Ocean Expeditions, Observations and Predictions thru the Global Ocean Observing Systems in Africa (GOOS-AFRICA) and the Indian Ocean Observing Systems (IOGOOS)
  • Land-Atmosphere-Ocean Interactions: impacts and benefits on coastal environments
  • Global Policy Framework on the Blue Economy
  • Food, Climate and Biodiversity nexus: West African Case Study
  • Mangroves assessment, restoration and conservation as drivers of the blue economy
  • Ecotoxicological considerations and environmental forensics in the blue economy

Mode of payment

International Scholars are expected to pay ahead of the workshop for their registration fee and their referred accommodation by clicking Make Payment
International participants may also check out great deals on flights and/or accommodation by clicking Check Flight / Accomodation
Nigerian scholars may choose to pay their registration fees on site or before the Workshop using the account details below

Account Name: IUO INVESTMENT INCOME ACCOUNT
Account Number: 0014191191
Bank Name: STERLING BANK
International Participants may Contact Mabel on +1(404)512-5675 for any assistance on international flights and accommodation

Nigerian participants may contact Raimot on +2348035906228 for any further assistance
The proof of payment should be sent to info.uswacrrc@gmail.com to obtain an official receipt.

Early Birds

$ 300
International Senior Scholars
$ 100
International early career scholars and students
Make Payment

Early Bird

$ 50
Scholars from African countries
Make Payment

Regular

₦ 50,000
Scholars from Nigeria
₦ 25,000
Nigerian early career scientists/Others
View Account Details

Details of Excursion on the 22nd of August 2024.

Participants are expected to come along with a valid means of identification.
Location: Badagry Heritage Trail
The excursion will cover 6 Trails:
Cost of excursion per participant (to be paid on site): Nigerian participants - N7,000 Non-Nigerian participants - $20
  • Badagry Heritage Museum,
  • ⁠Badagry Slave Relics Museum Int’l,
  • ⁠First Storey Building in Nigeria
  • ⁠Mobee Slave Museum,
  • ⁠Seriki Abass Brazilian Baracoon,
  • ⁠Agia Monument (where Christianity was preached and where the first Xmas service was held), and
  • 1 Boat Ride to the “The Point of No Return (Gberefu)”

Schedule:

The workshop will be a three-day event, featuring a mix of keynote and technical presentations, panel discussions, interactive sessions, poster sessions, and working groups.

10:00am – 4:00pm:

On-site Registration

4:00pm – 5:00pm:

Opening Plenary

Interlinkage Between Human Health, Coastal Ecosystems Health and Ocean Health - Professor Akin Abayomi (Honourable Commissioner for Health, Lagos State)

5:00pm – 6:00pm

Coffee Break

Welcome Cocktail Reception & Networking

9:00am – 11:00am:

Official Opening Ceremony

11:00am – 11:30am:

Coffee Break

Interlinkage Between Human Health, Coastal Ecosystems Health and Ocean Health - Professor Akin Abayomi (Honourable Commissioner for Health, Lagos State)

11:30am – 12:30pm

Second Plenary Talk

Major Initative and Priorities of the AfDB aon the Blue Economy - Dr. Ahmed Khan : African Development Bank (AfDB)
The Un Ocean Decade
Representative of the African Directorate of Sustainable Development and Blue Economy

12:30pm – 1:30pm

Lunch

2:30pm – 3:30pm

First Oral Technical Session (3 Parallel Sessions)

Capacity Building For Marine Science And The Blue Economy
Keynote Speakers: Prof. Brian Arbic – University of Michigan, USA
Dr. Edem Mahu- University of Ghana, Ghana

Sustaining Africa’s Living Marine Resources: Challenges And Opportunities
Keynote Speakers: Prof. Martins A. Anetekhai, LASU
Prof. Paulinus Chigbu - University of Maryland Eastern

Ocean Expeditions, Observations and Predictions through the Global Ocean Observing Systems in Africa (GOOS-AFRICA) and the Indian Ocean Observing Systems (IOGOOS)
Keynote Speakers: Dr. Juliet Igbo - Nigerian Institute for Oceanography & Marine Research (NIOMR)
Dr. Justin Ahanhanzo – IOC-UNESCO, Paris

3:30pm-4:00pm

Tea Break

4:00pm-5:30pm

Second Oral Technical Sessions (3 Parallel Sessions)

Land-Atmosphere-Ocean Interactions: Impacts and Benefits on Coastal Environments
Keynote Speakers: Prof. Charles Ichoku- University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), USA
Prof. Abiodun- University of Cape Coast, South Africa

Global Policy Framework on the Blue Economy
Keynote Speakers: Dr. Funsho Somorin – African Development Bank (AfDB)
Dr. Bunmi Akaakar- Rivers State University, Nigeria

Mangroves Assessment, Restoration and Conservation as Drivers of the Blue Economy
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Hany Shalaby – African Development Bank (AfDB) -- Poster Session 1

9:00am-10:30am

Interactive Sessions (6 parallel sessions focusing on specific issues and Opportunities, and recommendations for action from Day Two Technical Sessions)

Ecotoxicological Considerations and Environmental Forensics in the Blue Economy Keynote Speakers:
Keynote Speaker: Prof. Ezenmonye – Igbinedion University, Nigeria

11:00am-12:30pm

Wrap-up Session with presentations from Working Groups & Closing

12:30pm-6:00pm

Lunch & Field Excursion

Visa requirements for international participants:

Tourist/Short stay Visa is available to citizens of all countries except ECOWAS Nationals who do not require visa to visit Nigeria and other countries which Nigeria has entered into visa abolition agreements

Class of Persons Eligible for Tourist/Short Visa

  • Foreign Travelers who wish to visit Nigeria for the purpose of Tourism.
  • Foreign Travelers who wish to visit family and friends

Requirements

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months with at least 2 blank visa pages for endorsement
  • Two (2) recent passport sized (35x40mm) photographs
  • Return Ticket
  • Evidence of Sufficient funds
  • Evidence of hotel reservation / host address in Nigeria
  • Onward ticket to the next destination
  • Invitation letter from family/friend in Nigeria or Workshop organizers

Important Notices

Nigerian Immigration Contacts:
Website: https://immigration.gov.ng
Telephone: +234-912-1556-359, +234-912-1900-655
Email: nis.servicom@nigeriaimmigration.gov.ng

  • Visa Validity: Valid for not more than 90 days from the date of issuance (specify date)
  • Permit Type and duration of Stay: `Single Entry. Visitors permit not exceeding 90 days
  • Permitted Activities: Permitted for social visit only
  • Restricted Activities: Not permitted for work

Accomodation

Participants are expected to cover their accommodation cost. Decent Hotels are available as follows:

  • Guest House inside LASU beside the Chapel of Light: N10, 000 per night
  • B and C Dyamond Hotel and Suites by Obadore Bus stop LASU-Igando Road starting from N15, 000 per night
  • GTA Hotel Ikeja Amore Street off Toyin Street, 3, Lagos, LA, 101233
  • De Santos Hotel 7 Shasha Road, Akowonjo Roundabout, Dopemu Akowonjo, Lagos 550104 Nigeria about starting from N36, 000
  • Protea Hotel by Marriott Ikeja Select Plot 2, Assbifi Road, Ikeja, Lagos Nigeria

REGISTRATION & SUBMIT ABSTRACT

Additional information about registration and abstract submission may be obtained from the CRRC Secretariat by contacting Ms. Funmi Eyeoyibo at feyeoyibo@gmail.com or info.uswacrrc@gmail.com CLICK TO REGISTER

SUBMIT ABSTRACT

The 4th CRRC-LASU Conference is calling for abstract submission from June 11th – June 30th, 2024. The scientific committee will review abstracts and send decision letters by July 15th 2024.
Abstracts will be accepted as either oral or poster presentation. Final abstract submission for accepted abstracts will be on the 30th July 2024