•Kenyatta who led UN member states in the commemoration of 50 years since UNEP was established heaped praises at the global body.
• He said the body has helped the world to understand the centrality of the environment in human existence.
The government has announced the first of its kind global award that will recognise persons or institutions championing environmental sustainability and peace.
President Uhuru Kenyatta said the government will be sponsoring the Amani and Mazingira biannual global awards.
“The award will be accompanied by a monetary award of USD 20, 000,” he announced as part of UNEP’s 50 years commemoration.
Kenyatta said the first awardee will be announced on June 1 during Madaraka day.
Kenyatta who led UN member states in the commemoration of 50 years since UNEP was established heaped praises at the global body saying it has helped the world to understand the centrality of the environment in human existence to appreciate the increased threats to the environment and also the existential threat that exists to our planet.
“UNEP has also helped us galvanize collective global action to protect our environment. The journey has not been easy,” he said.
The Stockholm Conference of 1972 led to the establishment of UNEP.
Kenyatta said UNEP has transformed into a formidable ecological consciousness for the world as it boldly champions the environmental agenda.
He said UNEP has over turbulent times provided technical, diplomatic, as well as political leaders in the development of the co-concept of sustainable development and build ownership of these concepts at the national level.
This, he said, has enabled the global body to establish a credible platform for countries to come together and act boldly to advance the global environment agenda.
The head of state was proud following the successful UN Environment assembly which witnessed the adoption of the end plastic pollution resolution and several other resolutions culminating into ministerial declarations.
“I know this was not easy and it is for that reason that I want to commend and congratulate all member states for the dedication and diligence you have shown towards prioritizing this real issue that affects our planet,” he said.
Kenyatta assured UNEP of the government’s support.
The head of state at the same time praised individuals who championed the formation and the hosting of UNEP here in Nairobi.
The late ambassador Joseph Gordon Odero-Jowi played a key role.
Odero-Jowi served at the time in New York as Kenya’s permanent representative to UN Security Council and was 43 years old then.
Kenyatta also praised the first UNEP executive director Maurice Strong who served between 1972 and 1975 saying he played a central leadership role in defining the character UNEP.
Wangari Maathai was also recognised for her role in the protection of the environment through the finding of homegrown solutions to local challenges.
Kenyatta said for UNEP to continue working, it has to be supported.
"I want to urge all stakeholders to enhance, mobilise and prioritise support for UNEP as it has demonstrated its critical role in ensuring the sustainable planet by tackling cross-cutting issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and plastic pollution," he said.
The head of state said UN member states cannot talk about development, peace and security without highlighting its nexus with climate change.
"Unchecked climate change will pose an unacceptable risk to our security, our economies, our SGDs and our planet," he warned.
Kenyatta said it is only through the united front by member states that the planetary crisis of biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution that SDGs will be achieved.
"Let us commit to supporting UNEP to steer the environmental discussions towards tangible and sustainable solutions," he said adding that Kenya remains committed to environmental sustainability as underpinned in Kenya's vision 2030.
Kenyatta said Kenya is proud to be the only UN headquarters in the global south, an honour it appreciates and protects.
The head of state said the government has worked closely with UNEP to provide support and facilities to the UN agencies.
Kenyatta said land for the development and humanitarian logistics hubs in three locations in Kenya-Naivasha, Nairobi and Mombasa has been provided.
"We have also provided land for the creation of diplomatic enclave adjacent to the UN office at UN Nairobi complex."
Kenyatta said an integrated protocol management information system that creates an automated one-stop-shop for tax exemptions, staff registration, issuance of diplomatic ID cards, registration and transfer of motor vehicles, among other online services have been provided.
This, he said, is in order to enhance efficiency in the administration of diplomatic privileges.
Kenyatta also unveiled the commemorative plaque marking the fiftieth anniversary of UNEP.
He was accompanied by President Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi (Botswana) Muhammadu Buhari (Nigeria) Prime Minister of Central Africa Republic, Felix Moloua, and UNEP Executive Director Inger Anderson.
Kenyatta’s announcement comes a few hours after the fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly made a historic decision after it agreed to develop a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution.
The Assembly unanimously agreed to develop a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution, making it one of the world’s most ambitious environmental actions since the 1989 Montreal Protocol which effectively phased out ozone-depleting substances.