Newsletter | May 2016 | UNDP Intensifies Wildlife Conservation Efforts in Africa
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Newsletter | May 2016 | UNDP Intensifies Wildlife Conservation Efforts in Africa UNON Director-General, Sahle-Work Zewde flagging off UN Team for Inter- agency Games hosted in Spain on 11-15 May 2016. UNDP and the GEF investing $60m into Africa is intended to help create incentives for conservation and ensure better management of wildlife protected areas. The Government of Kenya, led by President Uhuru Kenyatta burnt 105 tonnes of ivory and 1.3 tonnes of rhino horns to make a statement that the world must stop the trade in wildlife trophies in order to protect its threatened heritage. “Wildlife poaching and the illicit (Photo by UNDP) trade of wildlife and forest products are abhorrent,” said UNDP Administrator NDP has reiterated its wildlife through a new Global Wildlife Helen Clark at the Space for Giants forum, renewed support to frontline Programme being initiated with funding a high-level conservation event in Kenya. Uconservation efforts to from the Global Environmental Facility “This multi-billion dollar worldwide trade help African countries protect their (GEF). The programme, which will see is a security issue, an environmental issue, CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 Goal 17 - Page 9 What’s Inside: Upcoming Events: UNDP Intensifies Wildlife Conservation Efforts in Africa 4 June International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression President Uhuru Kenyatta on Official Visit to UNESCO 5 June World Environment Day Impact Investment Showcase in Kenya highlights social 8 June World Oceans Day enterprise supporting SDGs 12 June World Day Against Child Labour Raising awareness on climate change step by step 16 June Day of the African Child UN-Habitat last month hosted and honored the first 17 June World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought cohort of Emerging Community Champions. 20 June World Refugee Day UN Calls for Increased participation of Youth and Women 21 June International Day of Yoga in Devolved system of Governance 23 June Public Service Day UN Women and Africa UNiTE Launch “Violence Thrives in 26 June International Day in Support of Victims of Torture our Silence” Documentary 26 June International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking | 2 | CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 and a development issue. It is pushing said President Uhuru Kenyatta Ms. Helen Clark in June 2014. It seeks vulnerable and endangered species African countries are currently to support local communities to identify toward extinction. The illicit trade is fighting to protect their natural heritage, and nurture alternative sources of income also fuelling corruption and conflict, including wildlife, which has traditionally that will improve the general wellbeing destroying lives, and deepening poverty made an important social and economic and wealth of communities residing and inequality.” contribution. Kenya has a thriving within the Amboseli ecosystem. Under As part of the new wildlife tourism industry with over one million the pilot project, Amboseli National Park programme, UNDP will fund activities tourists visiting its game parks and wildlife is being used as a showcase of excellent to help tackle poaching through more sanctuaries, contributing close to 12% of conservation partnerships between host investments in community conservancies, Kenya’s GDP and directly employing communities, government, scientists, law enforcement, improving the capacity more than one million people. Out of NGO’s and international partners. of judicial systems, and putting in place an elephant population of 500,000 it is Combating the illegal wildlife trade stronger wildlife laws and policies. estimated that 25,000 to 30,000 elephants is central to making progress on the Ms. Clark was in Kenya to promote are killed every year. new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable wildlife conservation on the African Development and the SDGs. The continent and participated in the world’s UNDP Work On Wildlife Crime new global platform for development largest destruction of elephant tusks UNDP supports efforts to combat recognizes that eradicating poverty in and rhino horns, spearheaded by the the illegal trade in wildlife, both fauna all its forms and dimensions is a global Kenyan government. Speaking at the and flora through programs that support challenge that we must all work hard event the Kenyan President, H.E Uhuru countries to eradicate poverty, protect to achieve, and that maintaining the Kenyatta stated that by killing elephants, the environment, empower women, and integrity of the natural ecosystems is the continent risked losing its natural build strong institutions, all of which critical for global development and heritage in addition to destroying the support the rule of law. UNDP work poverty reduction. highly beneficial tourism industry which focuses on diversifying rural livelihoods, UNDP also works with various global has faced numerous threats in the recent managing human-wildlife conflict, and partners like the Global Environmental past. sharing the benefits of sustainable Facility (GEF), the World Bank, the Kenya burned 105 tonnes of ivory wildlife management. UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and 1.3 tonnes of rhino horns to make One such project is the ‘Empowering and the UN Office of Drugs and Crime a statement that the world must stop Women to Conserve Wildlife in (UNODC) to enhance conservation and the trade in wildlife trophies in order to Amboseli project’, which is as a result protection of wildlife through financial protect its threatened heritage. “Ivory is of a partnership between UNDP and and technical support. worthless unless it is on a living elephant” the Office of the First Lady initiated by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Official Visit to UNESCO he discussion covered a wide range of programmes that TKenya is leading in cooperation with UNESCO -- including initiatives on digital literacy and the integration of information and communication technologies (ICT) in education. On this occasion, Irina Bokova and the Kenyan Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Amina Mohamed, who accompanied the President, signed an agreement to reinforce collaboration in this field. The President and Director-General explored a wide range of activities, including education, literacy and non- formal education, as well as science programmes concerning water resources, UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme and Geoparks. President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya explored his country’s cooperation with UNESCO during a meeting with Director-General, Irina Bokova, at the Organization’s Headquarters. (Photo by P. Chiang-Joo/UNESCO) CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 UN Newsletter Kenya | 3 | CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 In their talks, the President highlighted important tool for the success of water- During his official visit, the the essential role of education in related projects and activities, promote President was accompanied by Fred facilitating respect for diversity and water management in a sustainable Okeng’o Matiang, Cabinet Secretary for inclusiveness. He also spoke of his manner, support initiatives aiming to Education, Amina Mohamed, Cabinet country’s commitment to sustainable make potable drinking water accessible to Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Eugene development and advocacy in water communities, notably in his capacity as a Wamalwa, Cabinet Secretary for Water issues. Patron of the Millenium Water Alliance. and Irrigation, Henry K. Rotich, Cabinet At UNESCO, President Kenyatta As a Special Envoy for Water in Secretary for Finance; Joseph Nkaissery, also attended a ceremony at which the Africa, Mwai Kibaki will lend his Cabinet Secretary for Interior Affairs, Director-General designated Mwai support to UNESCO in mobilizing the Charles Keter, Cabinet Secretary for Kibaki, the former President of Kenya, international community, Heads of State Energy and Petroleum, Najib Balala, as a UNESCO Special Envoy for Water and Government, as well as civil society Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, and Willy in Africa. The designation comes in actors to recognize the importance of Bet, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture. recognition of the former President’s sustainable water resources management efforts to highlight education as an in Africa. Impact Investment Showcase in Kenya highlights social enterprise supporting SDGs UNDP Resident Representative, a.i., Mr. Michel Balima making a presentation at the Impact The Second Lady of Kenya H.E. Rachel Ruto giving a prize to one of the winners of the Entrepreneurship Showcase. (Photo by UN RCO) Entrepreneurship for Impact Award. (Photo by UN RCO) fforts towards achieving the transformation. Her Excellency Mrs. need for partnerships that transcend all SDGs through innovative Rachel Ruto, spoke on the social impact boundaries in order to realize the SDGs. Ebusiness models received of her Joyful Women Organization. “Successful implementation of Agenda significant recognition when a showcase The event was marked by discussions 2030 with the adoption of SDGs will event on impact investment for social and presentations on building impact rely on developing an inclusive global enterprises occurred at Tangaza investment capacity through approaches partnership based on active involvement University College, Nairobi on May 4th. such as the Master’s programs across and commitment of governments, The event, co-hosted by the E4Impact multiple African countries supported by philanthropic institutions, civil society, Foundation, Rockefeller Philanthropy E4Impact, how to blend domestic and private sector, academia and development Advisors and the SDG Philanthropy international