How I will elevate Kenya-UNEP relations - Amb Gertrude Angote

Permanent Representative to UNEP Ambassador Gertrude Angote has vowed to work towards strengthening and elevating the Kenya-Unep relations.

Angote said she will seek to work with the Executive Director of UNEP to build upon the successful actions and activities done by the country and the UN organisation.

She spoke during the presentation of her credentials to the UN Environment Programme. 

Among the successful actions she will work on include ensuring that Kenya continues to meet its obligations to UNEP and, as host country, continues to champion increased and more predictable and long-term funding for the programme. 

"To address the many environmental challenges that Kenya faces, we also wish to engage programmatically with UNEP, and in this sense; we welcome with appreciation the establishment of an UNEP Office in Kenya," she said.

Angote stated that her team will be available to contribute to making the office operational as soon as possible.

She said her office will work towards making Kenya the place where best environmental practices are tested and where other countries on the continent and other parts of the globe are inspired.

"The example of the impetus born here in Kenya three years ago and which created the dynamic on the ban of plastic and protection of the marine environment is a great example of synergy between Kenya, the diplomatic corps as a whole, and UNEP," she added.

Angote also said she will ensure that the country will continue to work with UNEP to support and promote efforts to strengthen the programme.

She noted that a strengthened UNEP in Kenya and its headquarters in Nairobi are in line with the country's foreign policy, advancing the environmental diplomacy focal area.

This, she said, has the key objective of championing the strengthening of UNEP and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) in Nairobi in prioritising the global sustainable development agenda.

"In this connection, Kenya will continue to work closely with UNEP to elevate the scientific and technical discussions in Nairobi, including in the lead-up to and during key environmental and sustainable development processes, especially the UN Environment Assembly Sessions and its subsidiary bodies," Angote said.

The ambassador said she will work towards the completion of the negotiations of the Plastics Instrument and hosting of the Instrument's Secretariat in Nairobi.

She pointed out that President William Ruto has expressed Kenya's full support of the ongoing Intergovernmental Negotiations Committee (INC).

This is to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment.

Further, the President has made clear Kenya's position that the Secretariat of the Plastics Instrument should be hosted at UNEP,  Nairobi.

Angote said Kenya will continue to work together with Unep and other member states on the matter.

"A great first step is the upcoming joint side event by Kenya and Unep on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York in September 2024," Angote said.