Kenya will be hosting the Third United Nations Environment Assembly this coming week in a meeting that is expected to bring over 5,000 delegates.
Ahead of that big conference which will run from December 4 to December 6, Nairobi hosted a cycling event that was meant to start a conversation going about pollution.
The Sunday morning event which was flagged off by Nairobi County Governor Mike Sonko saw hundreds of international and local cyclists descend upon the capital’s Central Business District taking over the streets with their bikes in a race to #BeatPollution.
The race was a leisurely bike ride that involved high-level participants and hundreds of Kenyan residents to show how the world is ready for more sustainable transportation methods and share-the-road initiatives. Participants were asked to come with their bikes and join a 3.5 km symbolic ride to show their support.
The event in Nairobi was attended by Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Liu Xianfa.
Took part in the #BeatPollution cycle ride this morning in Nairobi. Bike-sharing app from @Mobike can transform our cities! Great way to spend a Sunday. pic.twitter.com/zzb3XdZMee
— Erik Solheim (@ErikSolheim) December 3, 2017
Some 200 volunteers from around the world take part in the Race to #BeatPollution in #Nairobi, an event hosted by @Mobike and UN Environment Program @UNEP to promote cleaner air pic.twitter.com/5Dpis182EI
— CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) December 3, 2017
Kenya’s Environment Cabinet Secretary Prof. Judi Wakhungu said the meeting offers Kenya a unique opportunity to host one of the world’s major environment meetings adding that the East African country will continue to support the global body in its efforts to attain high levels of environmental conservation.
More than 100 Environment ministers from across the world have confirmed they will be taking part in the meeting.
“We are expecting four heads of state,” Prof Wakhungu told The Star.
She also said plastics ban will be a major discussion as well as the status, trends and actions needed to be taken to address pollution in all its forms.
The assembly will come up with resolutions and a global call to action to address the critical environmental challenges facing the world today.
The UNEA forum will be attended by astronauts from NASA and the Indian Space Agency, heads of state and environment ministers.
Others set to attend are leading scientists, CEOs of multinational companies, NGOs, environmental activists and celebrities to discuss and make global commitments to environmental protection.
