Strengthening UNEP part of Kenya's foreign policy - Amb Angote

Strengthening the United Nations Environment Programme is at the core of the environmental diplomacy component of Kenya's foreign policy, Kenya's Permanent Representative to UNEP Amb Gertrude Angote has said.

Angote said advancing environmental diplomacy was a focal area for the country as it seeks to better the UN agency headquartered in Nairobi.

"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 negotiations and processes," Amb Angote said.

The envoy spoke on Monday at the UN Complex in Gigiri, Nairobi, during her inaugural meeting with UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen.

She assured the UNEP boss that Kenya will continue pursuing ongoing diplomatic efforts to "elevate the role of UNEP as the global environmental authority within the United Nations system."

"During my tenure, and as directed by President William Ruto, we shall be guided by the core values of collaboration, communication, and integrity, while ensuring that Kenya remains at the forefront of global environmental governance," she said.

The envoy said Kenya believes that the challenges facing the environment today can only be addressed through collective action and strong multilateralism with the African diplomatic corps and all member states.

"Kenya is ready to contribute its voice, expertise, and resources to the global environmental agenda. My priority will be to continue strengthening and elevating the Kenya-UNEP relations," Amb Angote said, noting that Kenya's commitment was in line with paragraph 88 of the Rio+20 outcome.

As part of strengthening UNEP and elevating the agency's relationship with Kenya as host nation, Amb Angote said the country will strive to meet its obligations, including "predictable and long-term funding."

She also underscored the establishment of a UNEP Kenya Country Office at UNON in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry as another priority area for her office.

"My office will be keen on fast-tracking the full establishment of the UNEP Kenya Country Office with proper resources including programmes, projects and staff to support Kenya’s priorities on environmental and sustainable development actions," the envoy assured.

At the same time, Amb Angote said Kenya was keen on the finalisation of a global plastics treaty and the establishment of the instrument's secretariat at UNEP in Nairobi.

"The President (William Ruto) has made Kenya’s position clear that the Secretariat of the Plastics Instrument should be hosted at UNEP in Nairobi. Kenya will continue to work with UNEP member states on this matter.

"A great first step is the upcoming joint side event by Kenya and UNEP on the margins of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York in September 2024.

"President Wiliam Ruto will use that opportunity to call for support for the establishment of the Secretariat of the convention including its funding and operationalisation," Amb. Angote concluded.