Abstract

         The topic for Special Session is Aquatic Eco-system Services & Digital Entrepreneurship. The special session participants will discuss ways and opportunities for the creation of innovative and entrepreneurial skills based on aquatic eco-system services. Aquatic ecosystem services are expected to play a vital role in preserving global water resources while at the same time creating societal innovative digital services to provision, regulate and provide cultural, touristic and economic benefits for the local communities. Experiences from local and international bodies on digital startups and sustainable digital transformation of society will also be addressed.

         The ICT4DA2025 conference will be held in the city of Bahir Dar, which is rich in water resources, therefore, particular Interest will be given to Innovative Aquatic Eco-System services and digital entrepreneurship. An important question to answer in the special session is: “While protecting the sustainability of our water resources, how can communities benefit economically by developing digitally supported entrepreneurial startups by providing societal aquatic eco-system services.” The potential for development of aquatic ecosystem services for the GERD (Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam) water catchment area (74 Sq.Km.) will also be a topic for discussion. Innovations for building business models around such ecosystem services connected to digital startups,  promotion of aquatic ecosystem services for global markets and benefit to the global sustainable development agenda.    

Chair:

• • • Dr F. Mekuria, Researcher Emerging Digital Technologies for Environmental Monitoring, Sustainable Digitalization Research Centre (SDRC), Malmö University, Sweden.

Panel Participants:

• • • • Prof. G. Gettel, IHE-UNESCO-Institute for Water Studies, Delft, Netherlands.
      •  Prof. N. Ekelund, Aquatic Ecosystems, Malmö University, Sweden. 
      •  Meried Bekele, CEO, IE Networks,  Ethiopia.    
      • Prof. M. Mzyece, Wits Business School, Univ. of Wtwatersrand, South Africa.
      • Dr.  P. Von Lany, Strategic Water Expert , Exeter Univ., UK.
      • Dr. A. Kassaw,  Bahirdar Innovation & Entrepreneurship Centre, BIEC, Ethiopia.