Expert meeting to review the methodology to assess the Smart and Sustainable (SSP) status of ports

Expert group meeting to review the methodology to assess and determine the Smart and Sustainable (SSP) status of ports

As a component of the UNCTAD-led project "Sustainable smart ports for Africa", stakeholders from two beneficiary countries, Mauritius and Ghana, and relevant experts from international and private organizations convened on 25 September 2023 for a hybrid discussion on: project milestones, UNCTAD methodology review, as well as challenges and opportunities for African countries in the energy transition.

The purpose of this expert meeting was to:

• Discuss and further refine the methodology prior to its endorsement at regional online workshops.
• Enable the identification of areas of further methodological refinement and priority consideration for the application of the methodology in the three beneficiary countries.

Key questions addressed during the meeting:

• Assessment of the overall objective: Does the methodology align with the objective of the rapid assessment aimed at facilitating the production and consumption of renewables within port facilities and operations?
   
• Substantive issues: Do the substantive issues constitute a solid base to take stock of the current situation and undertake a gap analysis vis-a-vis the SSP development?
   
• Methodological approach: Are the tools to gather information and collect data easily and realistically manageable? Are all relevant stakeholders covered?