Foreign Affairs CS Amina Mohammed launches global environment postal stamps

Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed with the United Nations Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson when they launched Environment postal stamps to popularize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the world at Gigiri yesterday. PHOTO BY GEORGE ORIDO

The Foreign Affairs Cabinet secretary joined a United Nations official yesterday in launching the first ever environment postal stamps. The stamps will be used immediately to send mail globally.

The CS said the initiative between the Kenyan government and the UN was the first of its kind to educate world citizens on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

"Many a time, we have these beautifully coined objectives to help humanity but they remain elitist. So, this project is to help not only Kenyans but the rest of the world to get accustomed to the goals and objectives of development," she said.

UN Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson said his organisation would help foster the use of the stamps across all continents.

The stamps come in different colours and designs for different goals including yellow with a rising sun for Goal 7, which is Affordable and Clean Energy.

Goal 13, Climate Action, is in jungle green with a picture of the globe emblazoned on it for Sh105. Goal 14, Life Below Water, has a blue sea with fish swimming in it selling at Sh90.

Lemon green is for Goal 15, Life on Land, with a picture of a tree and birds flying past it in a serene background going for Sh130.

LAST EVENT

Meanwhile, UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner presided over his last event at the world environment body after ten years at the helm of the organisation.

"I want to say it has been a fruitful experience and I thank the Kenyan government very much for all the support I received while here," he said to a standing ovation.

President Uhuru Kenyatta lauded Steiner's work and promised support for the incoming Executive Director Erick Solheim of Norway.

"Wherever you go Mr Steiner, you can always consider you have a home here in Kenya," said President Kenyatta, who was opening the UNEA-2 assembly yesterday.

During his tenure Steiner, a German, saw the UNEP go from a programme to a fully fledged agency of the UN.