1st UN Environment Assembly to be held in Nairobi
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E-mail China.org.cn, June 5, 2014
Ambassador Martin Kimani, Kenya's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said, "Kenya is ready to welcome the world's leading environmentalists and world experts, working in all areas related to sustainable development to UNEA in June. Our country has made immense strides in building a Green Economy - observe our cutting edge geothermal developments and the high percentage of our GDP from nature tourism."
"The success of UNEA and UNEP are high in our priorities. Kenya is taking every measure to ensure the success of this landmark event. We are inviting delegates from around the world to actively participate in this historic moment and make their contributions to the assembly in a safe and friendly city that is rolling out every welcome to them," he said.
As the new governing body of UNEP, as well as the world's Environment Assembly, UNEA has the mandate to make strategic decisions and provide political guidance in the work of UNEP, and promote a strong science-policy interface.
The first UNEA session is expected to deliver a series of outcomes that would spell out concrete actions to address the key environmental challenges discussed at UNEA. Where appropriate, UNEA may also recommend draft resolutions for adoption at the United Nations General Assembly for UN system-wide action.
At UNEA's high-level segment - held under the slogan A Life of Dignity for All - Ministers and international leaders will gather to address two key sustainable development and environment topics of current international concern, namely:
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including sustainable consumption and production; and
• The illegal trade in wildlife to address the escalation in poaching and surge in related environmental crime.
To complement the Ministerial discussions, UNEA will also see the convening of two Symposia that address two key aspects of environmental sustainability:
• The environmental rule of law through the gathering of leading representatives of the international judicial community, including Chief Justices, Attorney Generals and Judges.
• The role of Finance in the Green Economy by bringing to Nairobi and UNEA, leaders from the world of business, finance and industry.
The UNEA deliberations will conclude with a High-Level Segment led by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and President of the General Assembly John Ashe. It will comprise a: strategic briefing on the state of the environment by UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner; ministerial plenaries on Sustainable Development Goals, including Sustainable Consumption and Production; and the illegal trade in wildlife.
During the UNEA week, more than 40 special and side events, fora, and high-level dialogues, will take place at UNEP's headquarters, covering a range of issues, such as: climate change, gender and the environment, green jobs, air quality, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and the sound management of chemicals, among other topics.
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