Press Release Nº 054/2015

Africa Environment/Wangari Maathai Day

and

World Wildlife Day 3 March 2015

Nairobi, 3 March 2015: Kenyan President H.E Uhuru Kenyatta led the Commemoration of Africa Environment/Wangari Maathai Day and World Wildlife Day at the Kenya Wildlife Service Headquarters in Nairobi National Park.

The 2015 celebrations, hosted by the Government of the Republic of Kenya, brought together Representatives from various Government Ministries, Diplomatic Missions, United Nations Agencies, International and local Environmental NGOs, Conservationists, Schools and other stakeholders.

In his speech, H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta expressed appreciation to the African Union for recognizing and honoring Professor Maathai’s life and work and urged Kenyans to plant trees in honour of her legacy. The President further underscored the important roles that wildlife plays in the ecosystem and in the socio-economic development of communities. He further emphasized the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime, and called for intensive investment and cooperation with stakeholders in the fight against poaching.

Description: Description: C:\Users\Leah\AppData\Local\Packages\microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\LiveComm\5badc77af97aa905\120712-0049\Att\2000b08d\WP_20150303_003.jpgIn her statement, H.E Commissioner Tumusiime Rhoda Peace paid tribute to the late Nobel Peace Prize laureate and highlighted her achievements in championing the cause of grassroots’ women and other marginalized groups. Commissioner Peace also highlighted women’s roles in society, in environmental management and the hurdles that they have to overcome. The theme of the celebrations Empowering Women for Sustainable Natural Resources Management in line with the AU Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development towards the Agenda 2063.

Other speakers included the Cabinet Secretary for Environment Water and Natural Resources, Representatives of the Dean of Ambassadors in Nairobi, UNEP and the Greenbelt Movement.

Description: Description: C:\Users\Leah\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Content.Word\WP_20150303_032.jpg“Poachers and their enablers will not have the last word” warned the President. To close the celebrations, President Uhuru Kenyatta presided over the destruction of 15 tonnes of illegal ivory at the Ivory Burning site in the Nairobi National Park, as a symbolic gesture to reaffirm Kenya’s dedication to eradicate poaching.

About

Africa Environment Day was designated in 2002 by the Organization African Unity (OAU) Council of Ministers in their meeting in Durban, South Africa, recognizing the numerous environmental challenges confronting the African continent. In January 2012, the African Union (AU) adopted a decision calling for the joint commemoration of Africa Environment Day and Wangari Maathai Day in recognition of the work and life of the late Prof. Wangari Maathai who dedicated her life to promoting environmental conservation and sustainable development in Africa. Previous celebrations have been held in Chad (2012), Tunisia (2013) and Lesotho in 2014.

For additional information, please contact

Mr. Almami Dampha

Senior Policy Officer

Damphaa@africa-union.org