By Aoma Keziah,
The Fourth Global Bioeconomy Summit (GBS2024), hosted by the International Advisory Council on Global Bioeconomy (IACGB) in partnership with the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe)/BioInnovate Africa, the East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO), and the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), kicked off in Nairobi, marking the first time the summit is held outside of Germany, where the event has been taking place since its inception in 2015.
“GBS in Africa is our chance to connect the African bioeconomy to the global bioeconomy. The East African Community has become the first regional economic block to develop a bioeconomy dedicated regional strategy (2021/22 – 2031/32). Some countries in Africa, like South Africa and Namibia, have developed dedicated national bioeconomy strategies. Several others are in the process of doing the same. It is time to share our experiences to learn from each other, inspire and accelerate bioeconomy development in the continent and other parts of the world. GBS 2024 is giving us the best platform to do this right now, here at home.” Said Dr.Abdou Tenkouano, DG & CEO icipe
Dr Tenkouano further highlighted that at icipe, they develop and deploy nature positive solutions for insect pest and vector management, also lead research in insects as alternative sources of protein in food, feed, and organic waste conversion. He continued to state that icipe implements BioInnovate Africa programme, a regional science and innovation initiative, which enables scientists to move biologically based solutions to market – thanks to the generous support of the Swedish Government and therefore GBS is an opportunity to share ideas on how to scale these efforts through south-south and north-south collaborations.
With the theme “One Planet – Sustainable Bioeconomy Solutions for Global Challenges,” the summit brings together experts and high-ranking representatives from politics, science, civil society, and the business sector to engage in discussions on global bioeconomy issues. Bioeconomy refers to the sustainable management and use of biological resources to generate economic growth while addressing pressing global challenges such as climate change, food security, and biodiversity loss.
The GBS2024 featured four plenary sessions, 24 parallel workshops, and 12 exhibitions, all showcasing cutting-edge innovations in bioeconomy research. Participants will explore a range of topics, including agri-food systems, biomanufacturing, biotechnology, bioenergy, and biopharmaceuticals, all aimed at fostering environmentally friendly practices and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
A key focus of the summit is on the youth, highlighting their crucial role in advancing bioeconomy solutions. With the youth comprising the largest demographic in many societies, GBS2024 will discuss education, skills development, and entrepreneurship opportunities that empower young people to shape the future of the global bioeconomy.
GBS2024 emphasizes the importance of global collaboration in promoting a sustainable bioeconomy and by fostering international partnerships, the summit aims to ensure equitable growth, minimize trade-offs, and create a pathway to resilient, fossil-free economies.
As more than 65 countries, including major economies like the United States and China, develop bioeconomy strategies, GBS2024 reaffirms bioeconomy’s potential to drive socioeconomic transformation, create jobs, and support biodiversity conservation. The summit’s discussions and outcomes are expected to provide vital insights for building sustainable, inclusive global economies.
Mt Kenya Times 
Elizabeth Angira