President Uhuru Kenyatta assures on green economy

 

President Uhuru Kenyatta with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (centre) and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner during the closing of the United Nations Environmental Assembly at UNEP headquarters in Gigiri, Nairobi, on June 27, 2014. PHOTO | BILLY MUTAI  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• Mr Kenyatta was speaking during the official closing of the United Nations Environmental Assembly, UNEA
• East African states formed a Sh500 million partnership to fight illegal timber trade in the region

By JACQUELINE KUBANIA
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By EUNICE KILONZO
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President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to protecting the environment, stating that the country was well on course to adopting a green economy.

 

The President pegged the country’s development on its environmental agenda, saying that it was important to strike a balance between economic growth and environmental stability.

“Investments and trade are our top priorities but they must be environmentally viable. The Constitution entrenches environmental protection, giving every Kenyan a right to a clean environment.”

UNDER UN PATRONAGE

Mr Kenyatta was speaking during the official closing of the United Nations Environmental Assembly, UNEA, the highest level such gathering under the UN patronage.

Also present was UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who thanked Kenya for her 40-plus years’ commitment to the workings of the UN.

“UNEA has provided a better understanding of the link between environment and development and shows common acceptance that a healthy environment is essential for growth,” Mr Ban said.

“The air we breathe, the water we drink and the soil on which our food grows is part of a delicate ecosystem that is under increasing pressure from human population, making consumption unsustainable.”

Among key resolutions passed are that states will crack down on environmental crime which costs Africa Sh18 trillion every year through poaching, trafficking of endangered species and depletion of forest through illegal logging.

The states also agreed to strengthen the Sustainable Development Goals.

East African states formed a Sh500 million partnership to fight illegal timber trade in the region. It will be implemented under the guidance of Interpol and four UN agencies and the Government of Norway.