UNEP chief highlights key role of upcoming UN Environment Assembly

Global sustainable development is possible if nations prioritise regulatory and policy reforms, technology adoption and partnerships, the United Nations environment chief said on Monday.

Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), delivered a keynote address at a public lecture in Nairobi, Kenya and said that a shift to low carbon development was an imperative since it assured the human race greater prosperity and health.

The UNEP chief said: "Decarbonising the global economy through prudent legislation, policies and technology adoption is a defining feature of this generation. We need to reinvent our economies to make them greener."

Mr Steiner was a keynote speaker at the public lecture organised by UNEP and Kenya's ministry of foreign affairs in the build up to the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) to be held in Nairobi from 23-27 May.

Heads of state, ministers from UN member states, private sector and civil society will attend the biennial event to address pressing environmental challenges including climate change, habitat loss and pollution.

Mr Steiner outlined how participants at UNEA will discuss new strategies to implement the measures needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during the global environmental assembly.

The UNEP chief added: "There is no denying that affluence or poverty can have a devastating impact on the environment. We need to re-invent our economies to ensure future development is not harmful to nature…. Brown development is a metaphor for pollution and unsustainable exploitation of natural resources like fresh water and arable land," Steiner remarked adding that business as usual will be calamitous to populations in the Global South.

He highlighted the fact that the Paris Agreement on climate action reached by 195 UN member states has inspired governments, corporations and communities to rally behind the green agenda.

"Policy makers, scientists, business and community leaders are now more aware of the benefits of the green economy since the adoption of Paris climate deal," Steiner added.

Kenya is planning to form new partnerships with multilateral agencies to inject further momentum into the global climate effort.

Cabinet Secretary for foreign affairs and international trade, Amina Mohamed said: "As the host of the upcoming global environment assembly, we are in a unique position to raise attention to a range of concerns like ocean pollution, food waste and depletion of vital ecosystems."