UHURU OPENS UNEA-4 High Level Segment AT UNEP.

President Uhuru Kenyatta addressing the HLS of UNEA 4 at UNEP headquarters in Nairobi,Kenya

President Uhuru Kenyatta has called on the Nations to pull together as entities of one planet, to address the challenges of climate change that threatens the livelihoods of mankind.

Addressing delegates during the official opening of the High Level Segment (HLS), of the Fourth Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-4), that defines global responses to climate change issues, President Kenyatta called on world leaders to work together one to address the threats of the phenomenon.

He Observed  that, despite Africa contributing only four percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, 65 percent of its  inhabitants have already felt the impact of droughts and flash-flooding.

The president added that the vagaries have become more frequent due to climate change and that deforestation and degradation of the environment, had ultimately undermined efforts towards biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation as well as adaptation.

However President Kenyatta Kenya was determined to achieve a 10% tree cover by 2022, up from its current level of seven percent.

French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the same forum attended by heads of state  from the Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi, Madagascar’s Andry Rajoelina, Maithripala Sirisena of Sri Lanka, Rwanda Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente, World Bank’s interim President Kristalina Georgieva, acting UN Executive Director; Joyce Msuya; Kenya’s Environment and Forestry Cabinet Secretary, Keriako Tobiko and other world  Environment Ministers.

He noted that Kenya had delivered tremendous results on the fight against climate change adding that France will work with the country to increase the nationally determined contribution of renewable energy sources.

The Assembly brought together delegates from the membership of all 193 UN member states and will build on policies, partnerships and a culture of innovation that will support the solutions and systemic change needed for sustainability to thrive.

UNEA is the governing body of UNEP and the principal body of the UN in the field of the environment, and presents a universal platform for leadership on global environmental policy.

The theme of UNEA-4 is ‘’Innovative solutions for environmental challenges and sustainable consumption and production’’,.

French President, Emmanuel Macron, addressing the HLS of UNEA 4 at UNEP headquarters in Nairobi,Kenya.

Inside the Prenary during the opening session of UNEA 4 HLS