UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon lauds efforts to preserve environment

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has lauded the establishment of the United Nations Environment assembly.

He said it is a major combined effort to curb environmental degradation, improve resource use and assure sustainable growth and development across the globe.

He noted that for the last four decades, people across the world have made efforts in making the planet a better place to live in. Ban said before the 1972 meeting in Stockholm environmental issues were considered secondary to economic development, something that has since changed as manifested by the joining of all UN members in UNEP.

“I ask all members to support efforts geared toward better environmental management as today UNEA full mandate to deal with all matters environment,” he said.

He announced that a meeting to be held in New York soon will seek to set the post 2105 sustainable development agenda.

Ban congratulated UNEP Executive Director Achim steiner for his commitment that saw the successful elevation of UNEP to a full-fledged UN agency.

He also was full of praise of Kenyans for the conservations efforts over the years, “I have travelled the breadth and length of Africa but nothing is like yours,” he said.

President Uhuru Kenyatta pledged Kenya’s commitment and friendship to UNEP and pointed out he was particularly impressed with the decision on combating illegal trade on wildlife and wildlife products. The delegates committed to take action to eradicate the illegal trade in wildlife products which has major economic, social and environmental impacts.

They said the illegal trade contributes to damage of ecosystems and rural livelihoods, undermines good governance and the rule of law and threatens national security.

The resolutions were presented by the newly elected President of UNEA Sanjaasürengiin Oyuun, who is also the Mongolian Minster fro Environment.

The five-day meeting resolved numerous far-reaching resolutions on environment including ensuring the full integration of the environmental dimension, especially throughout sustainable agenda and acknowledging that a healthy environment is essential requirement and enabler.

They also resolved to undertake actions to address climate change as it undermines countries’ ability to achieve sustainable development.

The high level meeting also committed to reinforce efforts to halt biodiversity loss and combat desertification, drought, and land degradation, among other resolutions. Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed was present.