Kenya gears up for United Nations Environment Assembly

The Kenyan government and United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) have finalized plans to host the second session of United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-2) in the capital Nairobi from May 23rd to 27th.

An estimated 2500 delegates from 170 UN member states will attend the UNEA-2 where enviromental issues ranging from ocean and air pollution, wildlife crimes and food waste will be discussed.

The UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner said at a media briefing on Wednesday the global environment assembly will set an ambitious agenda for green economy and sustainable development.

"Delegates will discuss implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Paris Agreement," Steiner remarked.

He added that other critical topics to be discussed at the five-day summit include air quality, environmental crimes, chemicals and waste and marine plastic debris.

The first edition of the biennial assembly took place in June 2014 in Nairobi.

Steiner noted the upcoming summit will revitalize conversations around sustainable development and low carbon economic growth.

"There will be discussions around chemical waste disposal and how to regenerate green spaces in our cities," said Steiner, adding that over 100 environment ministers and 200 business executives will attend the summit.

He disclosed that UNEP will host the first-ever High-level Global Science-Policy Forum later this week while major groups that include civil society and private sector will hold their summit over the weekend.

Steiner who has been at the helm of the UN environment body for the last decade will vacate office in June this year and head to Oxford University where he will be a faculty member.

He said that one of the defining legacies of the upcoming global environment assembly will be renewed commitments by governments and corporations to hasten implementation of resolutions contained in Paris Agreement on climate change. Enditem