April 2015: The World Bank recently hosted a two-day event, titled ‘Advancing Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) in Government, Business, and Finance: Theory, Practice and Enabling Conditions,’ as reported in the April edition of the WAVES (Wealth Accounting and Valuation of Ecosystem Services) newsletter. The meeting, which convened from 8-9 April 2015 in Washington DC, US, brought together representatives from the public, business and finance sectors to align approaches on accounting for natural capital, build consensus and establish priorities to work together.

The newsletter also features the 15th Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), where ministers and delegates from 54 African countries focused on ‘Managing Africa’s Natural Capital for Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication’ and agreed to optimize the use of Africa’s natural resources. Counties adopted the ‘Cairo Declaration,’ which includes 18 points addressing Africa’s natural capital.

Also in Africa, Botswana’s Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources held the annual ‘Water Pitso,’ from 19-20 March 2015, as part of a series of events to commemorate World Water Day. This year’s Pitso, which is the Setswana word for ‘consultation,’ met under the theme ‘Sustainable interventions to address Botswana’s water challenges, in partnership with stakeholders.’ For the first time in Botswana’s history, water rationing and restrictions have been impacting the capital city Gaborone and surrounding areas.

In addition, two reports were released in Australia in April: the second issue of the Australian Environmental-Economic Accounts, which is the result of two decades of environmental accounting work at the Australian Bureau of Statistics; and an information paper on an experimental ecosystem account for the Great Barrier Reef, the first to be published for any region in Australia.

The fifth annual WAVES partnership meeting will convene from 1-2 June 2015, at World Bank Headquarters in Washington DC, US. It will bring together WAVES countries, UN agencies, donors, civil society organizations and other institutions supporting NCA and provide the opportunity to share related successes and challenges. [WAVES Partnership Website][5th WAVES Partnership Meeting Website] [Natural Capital Accounting Two-Day Event] [Cairo Declaration] [‘Water Pitso’ Website] [Australian Environmental-Economic Accounts, 2015] [Information paper on an experimental ecosystem account for the Great Barrier Reef]