GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT VISIT TO KENYA FOCUSED ON SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT

United Nations, New York, 2 July 2021 – The President of the 75^th session of the United Nations General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Volkan Bozkır, has concluded his visit to Kenya, which took place from 28 June to 1 July.

The President was received in Nairobi by H.E Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya, and commended President Kenyatta for his commitment to multilateralism and for hosting the UN’s substantial presence in Nairobi, including through the COVID-19 pandemic. Kenya is host to the largest UN presence outside New York and Geneva.

The President participated in UN Habitat’s High Level Mid-Term Review of the Committee of Permanent Representatives and called on world leaders to prioritize sustainable urbanization. Urban areas have borne the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic, with 90% of reported cases. In the context of building back better, the President advocated for three key issues to be addressed: greening our cities, the digital divide  and investing in sustainable infrastructure.

The President also met with Mr. Keriako Tobiko, Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Forestry, Ms. Farida Karoney, Cabinet Secretary for Lands and Physical Planning, as well as Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura, the Under-Secretary-General and Director-General of the United Nations Office in Nairobi, Ms. Maimunah Mohd Sharif, the Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN-Habitat, Ms. Inger Andersen, the Executive Director  of the UN Environment Programme, Ms. Agnes Kalibata, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General to the 2021 Food Systems Summit as well as the representatives of the UN Country Team in Kenya. The President visited Karura Forest, Michuki Park and Nairobi National Park, three of the green spaces that provide multiple benefits to the people and environment of Nairobi. These excursions demonstrated range of excellent examples of environmental conservation and the New Urban Agenda in action.  

*  *  *  * 

For media inquiries, please contact Ms. Amy Quantrill, Director of Communications to the President of the General Assembly, amy.quantrill@un.org, +1-917-250-8003.