SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY HON. UHURU KENYATTA, C.G.H.

,
PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE DEFENCE FORCES OF
THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA DURING THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE
UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT ASSEMBLY (UNEA) HIGH-LEVEL
SEGMENT, UNITED NATIONS COMPLEX, GIGIRI, 26TH JUNE, 2!"

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the government and people of Kenya, let me extend a warm
welcome to you all.

We are delighted you are here, and trust that you will spare sometime during
your stay to enjoy the pleasures of our country. ou will not have to loo! far to
"nd something memorable about Kenya. Karibuni.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
#t is a great pleasure to join you for the $igh Level %egment of the "rst session
of the &nited 'ations (nvironment )ssembly of the &nited 'ations (nvironment
*rogramme.

Our gathering is historic. #t underscores the strength of global resolve to
address the grave environmental challenges that galvanised world leaders at
the +io,-. /onference of 0une -.1-. 2here, we a3rmed the principles and
priorities of 42he 5uture We Want6.

We vowed that, that cause of environmental sustainability would be at the
heart of national and global e7orts to broaden prosperity. 8ac!ed by credible
scienti"c "ndings, we mustered the collective political will to ma!e the
commitment.

2here were many achievements at the conference9 among the most important
was the agreement that &'(* would be upgraded to allow it to ta!e its proper
role as the preeminent global organisation for environmental matters. &nited
'ations (nvironment )ssembly :&'(); is the fruit of this upgrading.

#t could not come at a better time. We now realise here in Kenya and indeed
globally, that the economic growth we need so urgently can, if pursued without
any due regard to the environment, can impose dire costs to the country and
society at large.

2o enjoy this growth in a peaceful and just world, we need a better balance
between the economic, social and environmental approaches to development.
2he proceedings here are proof that the environment is no longer the poor
cousin of this trio.

2o get this balance right, we cannot forget the phenomenon of rapid
urbanisation. /ities may occupy just two percent of the world<s surface, but
they account for the bul! of energy consumption and carbon emissions.

8y -.=., only sixteen years hence, sixty percent of global population will be
urbanised. Left unaddressed, with old patterns of consumption and production
unchec!ed, not only will the environment su7er but we human beings will
su7er even more grievously.

#n declaring the 42he 5uture We Want6, it was clear that urbanisation must
meet the challenge of sustainability. 5oremost in implementing this vision is the
need to strengthen the governance of our urban spaces and cities.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
2hese are challenges we must meet together, strengthened by the spirit and
solidarity we showed in +io.

%o it is my pleasure to note that ministers will emphasise the importance of the
environment for the practice of sustainable development, and that they will
soon begin wor! on the *ost>-.1? @evelopment )genda. #n those deliberations,
environmental matters will be given due consideration. 2he protection and
conservation of our wildlife will also, # trust, "nd the prominence it deserves.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Kenya will play its part in these deliberations, since these are important
matters for us. We have laid out ambitious plans to eradicate poverty and
ineAuality, and to become a middle>income newly industrialiBed nation by
-.=..

2he plans are ambitiousC they have to be, for our opportunities are
unprecedented. 'ever in history have technology, capital and demand for
goods and services been so widely distributed. 8y -.=., what was once the
developing world will account for D.E of global G@*.

We recognise, then, that while we will continue to trade with our traditional
partners, these relationships will be complemented by new exchanges with the
emerging economies of the Greater #ndian Ocean +im and Latin )merica.
Kenya will seiBe this moment. We are already a leading hub for trade, services
and innovation between )frica and the rest of the world. Fy Government is
also ma!ing strategic investments to allow business and trade to be conducted
more competitively, and on terms that better reward producers.

Our approach to this prosperous future has an important rider9 all this
development must be environmentally viable.

2hese are values we long ago made our own9 our constitution already
guarantees the right to a clean environment, and reAuires prudent
management of our resources. 2hat is why my Government is ta!ing concrete
steps to green our economy. We have an ambitious programme to revamp our
"ve :?; national water towers, and tree planting in the entire country.

5urther, a critical part of our environmental conservation e7orts is our stand
against poaching and the illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products. We have
established robust anti>poaching measures across government9 from stronger
legislation, to specialised legal mechanisms and upgraded enforcement G we
are resolved to ensure the survival of iconic species li!e the elephant and rhino.

8ut no country can defeat the trade in illegal wildlife products alone. Global
demand is strong enough, and the poachers ruthless enough, to reAuire a joint
e7ort if our security and heritage are to be preserved.
2his is why # am pleased that the $igh Level @ialogue will consider these
Auestions closely. # trust that your decisions will improve our understanding of
this crimeC that focused and collaborative action to address demand will followC
and that the prosperity and livelihoods of the communities living close to
wildlife preserves, will receive urgent attention globally.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me return to our global community and the bold commitments we have
made in the past. We gather to rea3rm the spirit of +io.
#t falls to us to reemphasiBe the importance of the environment in the context
of sustainable development, and the *ost>-.1? agenda. We here must build on
the commitments of +io.

our declaration on the environment will proclaim to the world that the &nited
'ations (nvironment )ssembly is here, and that the sustainable development
we chose in +io is indeed possible. #n the ministerial dialogues over the next
two days, you will be in a position to show leadership that complements and
uplifts the important wor! being done elsewhere. # urge you to spea! for usC #
urge you to spea! for the world on this critical agenda. 2he environment is our
responsibilityC it is the source of our wellbeing. 2he fate of our world depends
on the Auality of the care we give it.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
#n closing my remar!s, let me rea3rm that Kenya remains fully committed to
the ideals for which the &nited 'ations (nvironment *rogramme :&'(*; was
established to pursue. Fy Government will therefore wor! closely with you so
that you can implement your mandate unhindered.

'ow, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my pleasure to declare this function o3cially
open and to wish you most fruitful deliberations.
2han! you and God bless you.