– As prepared –
Remarks by H.E. Mr. Volkan Bozkir, President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly
Nairobi, Kenya
30 June 2021
Cabinet Secretary, Honorable Keriako Tobiko,
Principal Secretary, Mr. Charles Hinga,
His Excellency, Jean Kimani, Permanent Representative of Kenya to UN-Habitat,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would
It is my absolute pleasure to join you this morning in Nairobi’s newest green community space, one of many in this beautiful city. I would like to commend the role of the Government of Kenya in promoting the establishment of parks and green spaces throughout the city, in tandem with ambitious urban expansion and transformation.
What we see here is the Urban Agenda in practice. Urban development does not need to come at a cost of protecting and investing in green urban spaces. In fact, the restoration, conservation, and management of natural environments will only enhance the potential of our future cities.
The Nairobi Rivers Basin Rehabilitation and Restoration Programme, bringing together UNEP, UNDP, UN-Habitat, is an example of the localization of the multilateral targets within the Basel Convention that raised ambitions for all. It is a testament to the possibility of change: in less than 10 years, a space containing 20,000 tonnes of waste has been transformed into an urban oasis.
The goal of the River Regeneration Project was to reclaim the Nairobi river. To ensure the water is clean enough so that every resident on its banks could benefit from its resources. It was an extraordinary endeavour that brought together 17 different ministries and various stakeholders.
At the UN General Assembly in New York, Member States came together to recognize the role of water and sanitation in accelerating the 2030 Agenda at the High-level Meeting on Water and Sustainable Development which I convened last March.
There was specific focus on the SDG 6 Global Acceleration Framework, the most ambitious global initiative to safeguard existing water resources and ensure everyone has access to clean water and sanitation by 2030. I call on all Member States and stakeholders to implement the Acceleration Framework. We must match Michuki’s level of ambition and spirit of partnership globally to achieve this consensus goal.
Kenya’s ban on single-use plastics in parks and protected areas is to be commended. In order to save our ocean and support the Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, I call on all Member States and stakeholders to support global efforts to do the same. This is needed now more than ever, given the mega-trend of urbanization. If urgent action on sustainable consumption and production is not taken, we could see avalanches of waste choking our waterways.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The benefits of public spaces cannot be overstated. They promote conservation and climate change mitigation, they help to improve urban safety, recreation and livelihood opportunities, particularly for youth. Youth’s engagement in the regeneration process of Michuki can be a catalyst for their stronger civic engagement, with dividends for sustainable urban development for generations to come.
Furthermore, public spaces are key to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. They bring benefits today and help to protect communities in the future – including by reducing inequalities and supporting biodiversity and land restoration. In this regard, I commend the creation of a modern tree nursey within Michuki, stocking indigenous tree-seedlings for the people of Nairobi, an example of smart, context-specific policies in support of biodiversity.
