REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT UHURU KENYATTA,CGH, AT THE CLOSING OF THE FIRST UNITED NATIONSENVIRONMENTAL ASSEMBLY, HELD AT GIGIRI ON 27 JUNE2014.

Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations;Hon. Oyun Sanjaasuren, President of UNEA,Distinguished guests,Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure to join you all at the close of the very firstsession of UNEA. Let me recognise, in particular, the presence of HisExcellency Ban Ki Moon, the Secretary General of the GeneralAssembly, indeed his presence reminds us that the environmentalagenda is now accorded the weight it is due at the highest levels.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The strength and diversity of your presence here – more than 160ministers of the environment, and 1200 delegates – is proof of theworld’s commitment to the ideals we adopted in Rio, and the hungerfor new answers to the pressing problem of balancing developmentand environmental protection.

Let me at this opportunity thank you all for your diligent work, andfor the importance you have attached to a matter that so clearlydeserves it. I must also say that you have been most graciousguests, and it has been a pleasure to host you all.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The progress of your deliberations gives us all greatencouragement, for your work here has built on the firm foundationslaid at Rio. In establishing a high-level political forum on sustainabledevelopment, you have established the political space we need tocoordinate and effect the practice of sustainable development.

This was not the only fruit of your work. I am informed thatimportant decisions have also been agreed in a number of areas ofconcern.

Of special interest to us all is the work you have done on sustainabledevelopment goals, and the agenda for development in the years tocome. It is my pleasure to note that your deliberations will informthe work of the process by which governments determine a newframework for global development.

In truth, your conference came at a most promising moment. We areall now deeply involved in the design of this new framework for

development. Your work is especially helpful, because in giving acritical view of how we can best integrate environmental mattersinto the post 2015 agenda, it brings clarity, precision and a widerange of expertise to bear on a grave concern.

Of course, the sustainable development goals currently underconsideration will remain mere aims unless we can secure themeans to effect them. Here, let our experience in theimplementation of the Millennium Development Goals be ourteacher. We should make certain that we match our funds to theambitious new goals we have set ourselves. And we shouldremember the value of continuity: let the unfinished business of theMDGs be done, even in the new dispensation that we adopt forourselves.

I note, with satisfaction, that you have adopted a decision on theillegal trade in wildlife. My government warmly welcomes your boldverdict. The trade destroys our heritage and threatens our collectivesecurity. Your stern response to the menace assures us that ourconcerns have been heard. In turn, Kenya will fight this illegal tradeas firmly as we are able. I look forward to the success of our newpartnership.

Let me also recognise the important discussions and decisions onissues from ecosystem-based adaptation, to chemicalsmanagement, air quality, promotion of green growth and, genderand environment. My government will mainstream these mattersinto our national development agenda, the better to protect ourenvironment, create jobs, safeguard human health and promoteequity.

It would be remiss of me not to thank all those who have made thisday possible. For years, the Secretary-General has been a rock ofsupport for the initiatives which were realised in this first sitting ofUNEA. I thank him. Let me also thank and appreciate both UNEP’straditional financial supporters, and the fast-growing emergingeconomies whose support of this work is already robust, and is onlyexpected to grow. In UNEP and UNEA, you have all chosen theworthiest of causes.

I close by reaffirming my government's commitment to UNEP. Weshare your goals. Your ideals are ours. In the battle to consolidatethe legacy of Rio, and to protect the environment on which we alldepend, you can be sure that Kenya will remain UNEP’s firm ally.

I thank you all once again, as we go out to make good on theagreements we have reached.

May God bless you, all.