CS TOBIKO ON RESOLUTIONS OF THE FORTHCOMING UNEA 4

The CS, Mr. Keriako Tobiko exchanging views with the UNEA-4 President and Estonian Minister for Environment, Mr. Siim Kiisler,, during the courtesy call.DSC_0692

Environment and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko has said that there is need to translate environmental conference resolutions into concrete actions, in order to address environmental challenges.

Mr. Tobiko said that the African group of ministers declarations during the forthcoming United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA) should commit to ratify agreements, and develop meaningful messages to address similar environmental challenges experienced among countries.

The CS said that environmental challenges cut across borders and leaders should formulate common positions to address the challenges.

Speaking today in his office when he met Estonia Minister for the Environment, Mr. Siim Kiisler who is also the President of United Nations Environmental Assembly 4 (UNEA4), he said that there is need find common ground in decision making on issues affecting the environment.

The CS assured the UNEA president that the Kenya government is committed in ensuring that the UNEA 4 ,to be help in next month at the Nairobi UNEP headquarters is a success.

“Kenya is committed from the highest level, President Uhuru Kenyatta is fully in support of the UNEA -, he welcomes all the delegates and will be attending the event, and the one planet summit, this meeting is absolutely critical” he said.

Mr. Tobiko said that there is a correlation between environment, development, health and other sectors, hence when the environment gets affected; the effects spill over to the areas.

He called on the organizers of UNEA 4 to come up with innovative solutions aimed at environmental protection, adding that indigenous communities should be allowed to showcase their innovations in environmental resilience and climate change mitigation measures.

On his part, Kiisler said that the major problem cutting across many countries is pollution, with marine littering and plastics in oceans.

He commended the Kenya government for banning plastic carrier bags saying every country should come up with sound policies to address solid waste menace.

He called on Environment Ministers attending UNEA 4 to come up with practical declarations and commit to implement them to the letter.

The CS, Mr. Keriako Tobiko leading the Ministry’s team during the bilateral talks with the UNEA 4 President, who was accompanied by a team from UNEP