Bhubaneswar: The State SDG Cell of the Planning and Convergence Department, organised a two-day workshop on “Leveraging Blue and Green Economy for a Resilient Future” on January 29 to 30 at Hotel Crown, Bhubaneswar.
The workshop seeks to promote meaningful dialogue on sustainable development by integrating blue and green economy approaches to enhance climate resilience, inclusive growth, and support Odisha’s long-term development vision of Viksit Odisha @2036.
The event convened senior policymakers, experts from national institutions, academia, UN agencies, civil society organisations, private sector representatives, and community leaders to deliberate on pathways for building a resilient and sustainable future.
Addressing to the participants in the inauguration session, Deoranjan Kumar Singh, Development Commissioner-cum-ACS, Planning and Convergence Department, delivered keynote address on environmental sustainability through the green economy.
The inaugural session was also addressed by Dr. Ashish Chaturvedi, Head of the Environment, Energy and Resilience pillar, UNDP India, New Delhi who highlighted India’s commitment to the UN SDGs through blue and green economy frameworks.
The workshop comprised six technical sessions with 21 speakers, covering key dimensions of the Blue and Green Economy. Experts from NITI Aayog, TISS, ICAR-IIWM, IIT Bhubaneswar, Berhampur University, MPEDA, UNDP India, and other institutions including community-based organizations shared key insights and best practices on sustainable development, climate resilience, and livelihood security.
The first day focused on various aspects of Green Economy, with discussions on green jobs, environmental financing, water security, and responsible consumption and production. It is expected to strengthen Odisha’s SDG implementation framework by aligning policy, innovation, and community action towards a resilient and sustainable future.
In the technical session-1, Dr. Neelam Patel, Senior Advisor (Agriculture), NITI Aayog and Ashok Singha, MD, ASCERT Network Advisors, Odisha discussed about Sustainable Blue and green Economic Growth in India’s perspective, Potential for the coastal States, Climate Change and Energy Security.
The session II was about Sustainable Climate Smart Agriculture: Inclusive approaches, where in Nitin Bassi , Fellow, CEEW, New Delhi, Dr. Bibhu Prasad Nayak, Professor , TISS-Hyderabad and Member 6th State Finance Commission, Odisha and Dr. Debal Deb, Practitioner of Indigenous seed Conservation, Rayagada were present and presented their thoughtful insights on the aforesaid topic.
In the technical session III, Dr. A.Sarangi, Director, ICAR, IIWM, Bhubaneswar, Amit Kumar, Manager, Skyvan Aviation and Dr. M.K. Ram Mohan , Director, MMEDA, Kochi, participated and discussed about different Pillars of Green economy focusing about Water security, Futuristic perspective on New Technologies for Strengthening Green Economy and Understanding the Green Value Chains- Responsible Consumption and Production.
Principal Secretary F&ARD, Odisha S.K. Vashisth, Commissioner cum-Secretary Co-operation Department Rajesh Pravakar Patil, Additional Secretary-cum-MD,OLIC Mansi Nimbhal and other senior officers of Govt of Odisha as well as from P&C Department have participated in the inaugural day of workshop.
In the workshop an AV film on SDGs was played and booklet on Aspirational, Sustainable Snippets of Success from the Heartland –Vol-2 was released on the occasion. Alka Jena, Director, SDG Cell, P&C Department proposed vote of thanks to the Guests and participants.
