President of the General Assembly, H.E. Volkan Bozkir,

Secretary-General, H.E. António Guterres,

Excellencies,

Distinguished Delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me start by underscoring that Kenya aligns itself with the statement to that delivered by H.E. Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

Mr. President,

It gives me great honor to participate in this Summit in this year that marks the “super year” for Biodiversity and nature.  The year has provided us with a unique opportunity to get back on track on both biodiversity and nature.  

The theme for the Summit therefore “Urgent action on biodiversity for sustainable development” speaks volumes to the challenges we face and the role we must collectively play, to execute the global responsibility.  Kenya being one of the ten mega diverse countries in the world, recognizes the critical role of biodiversity in supporting cultural, economic, environmental needs, including sustainable development.

However, these vital resources are at a state of global emergency, primarily because of human activity.  The rate of biodiversity loss, habitat fragmentation, degradation, pollution and species extinction, as well as disasters linked to climate and extreme weather such as heatwaves, droughts, floods are causing mass destruction across the world.

In the process, this mass destruction is compromising the primary safety nets that provide for lives as well as livelihoods.

It is, therefore, critical that the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN Habitat) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), among other global bodies such as the Convention for International Trade on Endangered Species (CITIES), are empowered to take up the challenges in a holistic manner.

Mr. President,

As a nature-based economy, Kenya, in 2017, imposed a ban on single use plastics and later in 2018, imposed a moratorium on logging which has resulted in enormous benefits for our environment.  Furthermore, Kenya has sought fundamental actions in the green and blue economy, premised on clean energy, increased forest cover, conservation as well as the sustainable use of oceans, to protect our biodiversity.

Importantly, we wish to note that, with the support of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Kenya is among the 92 countries that have submitted their 6th National Report to the Convention on Biodiversity, which encapsulates the progress, achievements made and measures taken to address gaps in the implementationing of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets.

In addition, in Kenya we are committed to the development and full implementation of an ambitious and transformational post-2020 global biodiversity framework; for the adoption of the 15th Conference of Parties of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. This will be key to reaching the SDGs informed by the best available science, research as well as indigenous and traditional knowledge.

In this regard, Mr. President, we call for urgent action to halt and reverse the destruction of nature.  This will accelerate the achievements of the sustainable development goals, and the biodiversity targets that expire this year. We must all work together Mr. President, with scaled-up ambition through partnerships, collaborations and cooperation.

Mr. President,

We must build back better and smarter as it is no longer ‘business as usual but rather ‘business unusual’, to urgently deal with the vulnerabilities of our societies, our economies for a post COVID-19 recovery.  A recovery that must put us back on track and promotes harmony between people and nature.  

I thank you all for your attention.