By Nneka Nwogwugwu
Kenya is set to host the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) @50 next month.
The historic 50th Anniversary will be held at the headquarters in Gigiri between February 28 and March 2, 2022.
The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MEF) and Principal Secretary, Dr Chris Kiptoo, has said that ‘One Government Approach’ will be adopted in planning and organising for the historic event.’’
Dr Kiptoo noted that the UNEP @50 conference in particular, gives Kenya an opportunity to showcase its environmental milestones in matters afforestation, sequestration and reduction on carbon emissions by using clean energy strategies, waste management home-bred technologies among others.
The PS was speaking virtually during an inter-ministerial meeting held at MEF headquarters, NHIF building.
The PS also explained that Kenya will host the fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5). The UNEA-5.1 was held online on 22-23 February 2021, while substantive matters that require in-depth negotiations were deferred to UNEA 5.2 scheduled for February 28 to March 2, 2022, ‘’a date likely to be pushed forward,’’ the PS added.
“In view of the covid-19 protocols and the prevailing Omicron variant situation, the government is considering rescheduling the sitting to end of April 2022 and having a hybrid of both in-person and virtual engagement to mark the celebrations,” Amb. Makena Muchiri, Permanent Mission of Kenya to United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON)/UNEP has said.
“In the meantime, we are assuring the international and regional community that the country has and shall put all systems in place to ensure their safety, security and well-being,” she added.
Director, Multi-lateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), Mr Peter Mageria, noted that UNEP @50 shall further President Uhuru Kenyatta’s agenda and commitment on addressing pollution.
“Kenya has become a benchmark where many countries come to learn how we implemented the policy of banning plastic carrier bags and replacing them with single-use-carrier bags that are environmentally friendly,” noted Mageria.
He encouraged the counties, civil society, youth and private sector to identify their success stories to inspire the 2022 global agenda on issues of nature, pollution and climate change. Innovative solutions to such challenges are expected to be exhibited during the celebrations, after a thorough vetting process.
UNEP conference will be hosted by the UN Environment Programme and is set to bring together representatives of the 193 member states of the UN, businesses, civil society and other stakeholders.
The delegation is set to agree on policies to address the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.
The theme is “Strengthening Actions for Nature to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals”.
UNEP said the theme highlights the pivotal role nature plays in our lives and in social, economic and environmentally sustainable development.