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– As prepared –<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Nairobi, Kenya Mr. Keriako Tobiko, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forestry,<\/p>\n Mr. Peter Kinyua, Chairman of the Kenya Forest Service,<\/p>\n Mr. Julius Kamau, Chief Conservator of Forests<\/p>\n Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/p>\n Firstly, let me thank you for this wonderful welcome at the spectacular and surprising Karura forest in the bustling city of Nairobi. Your work here to preserve this critical natural resource is commendable.<\/p>\n A forest of this size, in a city of this magnitude, is not a common sight around the world. Many cities lack the biodiversity on display in Nairobi. They are not full of lush plants or home to hundreds of species of birds. Yet pushing out the natural world from our cities has come with an enormous cost. Preserving the natural world and promoting urbanization are not mutually exclusive.<\/p>\n At the first ever United Nations Biodiversity Summit that I convened, I reiterated the scientific community\u2019s message that I will share again with you today: the degradation of local and regional ecosystems, unsustainable agricultural practices, and the exploitation of natural resources, are putting critical pressure on world ecosystems. Our unsustainable use of nature increases the risk of zoonosis \u2013 when an infectious disease jumps from animals to humans.<\/p>\n As we have seen from COVID-19, the consequences of ignoring the natural world are devastating, for everyone. That includes urban areas, where people round the world are increasingly choosing to live.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n That is why it is particularly encouraging to visit the city of Nairobi and your natural treasures such as this forest. Nairobi is a stunning example of sustainable urban development and environmental protection working together in a complementary manner.<\/p>\n I would like to praise the Kenya Forest Service and the Friends of Karura Community Forest Association for your work to preserve this extraordinary space.<\/p>\n Our health, our mental well-being, the health of our planet and everything else that lives in it stand to benefit from a positive relationship between the cities we live in and the natural world. More than half the world\u2019s GDP, US $44 trillion, is dependent on nature. As countries around the world invest in recoveries from the pandemic, we must ensure our actions are directed towards a sustainable future and aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.<\/p>\n Partnerships with between the United Nations, it\u2019s agencies, local governments, community organizations and the private sector are essential in our pursuit of sustainable urban development.<\/p>\n I would also like to take this opportunity to commend the late Professor Wangari Maathai, former Assistant Minister for Environment and Natural and founder of the Green Belt movement to conserve Karura and nature generally. The voice of one individual protected the rights of many \u2013 for today and for the future. Let her efforts inspire us to continue legacies that preserve our natural resources and restore the harmonious relationship between humanity and the natural world.\u00a0<\/p>\n I look forward to experiencing and contributing to this forest first hand \u2013 meeting the incredible people who work to maintain and nurture this special place.<\/p>\n Asante Sana (thank you)<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Remarks by H.E. Mr. Volkan Bozkir \u2013 PRESIDENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":342,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[111],"tags":[],"committee-meeting":[],"class_list":["post-245955","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-speeches","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\nRemarks by H.E. Mr. Volkan Bozkir, President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly<\/h3>\n
29 June 2021<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n