Africa-Press – Botswana. President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi is expected to lead the Botswana delegation to Nairobi today for the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6).
Held at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Headquarters in Nairobi, UNEA-6 sets the global environmental agenda, providing overarching policy guidance and defining policy responses to addressing emerging environmental challenges.
This year’s session held under the presidency of the Kingdom of Morocco is themed;Effective, Inclusive and Sustainable Multilateral Actions Tackle Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss and Pollution.
The major focus in Nairobi this year is strengthening environmental multilateralism to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature loss and pollution.
In an interview, High Commissioner of Botswana to Kenya, Mr Andrew Sesinyi confirmed President Masisi’s attendance in the East African nation, which had been hailed as leading the way in environmental conservation and sustainable development.
He said UNEA, which Botswana strongly advocated for, would focus on a number of decisions aimed at shedding light on environmental issues and making new commitments.
Deputy High Commissioner of Botswana to Kenya, Mr Ontumetse Ontumetse said the assembly was organised around thematic areas that were considered by members in developing their draft resolutions to compel more effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral action.
He said the assembly had come up with 20 resolutions and three decisions, adding that Botswana had shown considerable interest in some of the resolutions presented such as the
resolution on highly hazardous pesticides, sound management of chemicals and waste and strengthening international efforts to halt land degradation.
The assembly, which kick-started with plenary sessions on Monday has brought together over 3 000 delegates from the 193 United Nations member states including heads of state and government, ministers of environment, experts and some UN officials.
Host President, Dr William Ruto is the chairperson of the Committee of the African Union Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) and is expected to deliver a keynote address tomorrow at the high-level opening segment of the assembly where President Masisi will deliver a statement.
Other leaders expected to attend the event include Presidents of Djibouti, Gabon and Somalia, Vice Presidents of Libya, Zimbabwe, Prime Ministers of Burundi, Ethiopia,
Rwanda and Haiti.
President of the United Nations General Assembly, Mr Dennis Francis is also expected to deliver a statement highlighting the adverse impact of climate change on human rights for
vulnerable groups and countries with special attention to landlocked developing countries.
UNEA is the highest-level decision-making body for environmental issues in the world.
UNEA meets biennially to set priorities for global environmental policies and develop international environmental law, decisions and resolutions.
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