By NYAMBEGA GISESA AND GEORGE ORIDO
Friday, June 27th 2014Yesterday, President Uhuru Kenyatta opened the high-level segment of the United Nations Environment Assembly (Unea), a unifying event that has attracted people from different races, political divides and diplomatic alignments.
For the past five days, the event has been a microcosm of the world, with delegates arriving in different national attire to share challenging issues on climatic change, conservation and sustainable use of resources.
Prince Albert II, who is the Head of State for Monaco, yesterday told the delegates that the first Unea conference in Gigiri "will serve as a platform to define the foundations of 'The Future We Want'."
Among the delegates are ministers from Brazil, Russia and China who, for the first time, were honouring invites to come to Kenya for a UN event.
The importance of the UN forum was aptly captured by President Kenyatta during at the inaugural session of Unea when he said: "Your declaration on the environment will proclaim to the world that the United Nations Environment Assembly is here..."
Kenya has had to wage bitter diplomatic battles to host the crucial UN office, first as the United Nations Environment Programme that was elevated to the current status.
The inaugural environment assembly started on Monday.
The Unea assembly is important to the world as it sets the first steps for accelerating progress on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and shifting focus to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in what is described as the post-2015 Development Agenda.
The meeting discussed at length the killing of thousands of elephants, rhinos, lions, and illegal felling of trees.
A report launched at the event disclosed that the illegal trade in wildlife was estimated at US$213 billion annually compared to official global development assistance of US$135 billion.
A joint report by Unep and Interpol released at the conference shows Al Shabaab is raking in billions from illegal charcoal trade.
The group makes up to Sh1.5 billion (US$18 million) per year from charcoal sales in Somalia's Badhadhe and the money is used to fund terrorist activities.
The report, The Environmental Crime Crisis, says Al Shabaab may have formed front charcoal companies which export the commodities to Middle East and other countries, with much of the money going into purchasing of advanced weapons.
Yesterday, President Kenyatta said the country was committed in the fight against poaching and illegal trade in wildlife products as part of environmental conservation efforts.
The President said Kenya had enacted tight legislation, upgraded enforcement and has specialised legal mechanisms meant to secure the survival of iconic species like the elephant and rhino.
He said "Kenya is fully committed to the ideals which the United Nations Environment Programme (Unep) was established to pursue, " and promised that "the Jubilee Government would work closely with the global environment organisation to enable it implement its mandate unhindered.
He added: "My Government is taking concrete steps to green our economy. We have an ambitious programme to revamp our five national water towers and tree planting in the entire country."
Kenya's Ambassador to the UN Martin Kimani told The Standard that Unea had achieved its objectives of fighting for a better future and also convincing the world that Kenya is a safe place.
"Despite the hype about insecurity in Kenya, we had over 170 delegations from various countries coming to see what Kenya has to offer," he said.
Many delegates praised Unep Executive Director Achim Steiner for his indefatigable efforts and commitment that culminated in the upgrade of its status.
Some of the highlights of the week included a tree planting event and awarding young children from around the world who emerged winners in an environmental art competition.
On Tuesday, Deputy Executive Director of the UN Women Lakshmi Puri led a high delegation of women leaders in planting a commemorative tree at the Gigiri headquarters.
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