Permanent Representative of Kenya to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Ababu Namwamba, has been elected to chair the G77+China Nairobi Chapter.
In a statement on Friday, July 4, Namwamba said he assumed the position during a ceremony hosted at the United Nations (UN) Complex.
The former Cabinet Secretary takes over from the Ambassador of Egypt to Kenya, Wael Nasreidin Attiya.
In his acceptance speech, Namwamba commended Attiya and Egypt for the exemplary leadership of the group and committed to maintaining the trajectory of consensus and mutual respect in pursuing the shared interests of the G77+China.
“I highlighted the status of Nairobi as the global capital for environmental diplomacy, being the headquarters of UNEP and UN-Habitat, and emphasized the importance of mobilizing common positions at key junctures like the forthcoming UNEA7,” read the statement in part.
Read More
Namwamba also reaffirmed his commitment to the core principles of the United Nations, as outlined in the UN Charter, which focus on maintaining international peace and security, fostering friendly relations among nations, and promoting global cooperation.
“These principles are based on the sovereign equality of all member states and the peaceful settlement of disputes. The UN also aims to promote social progress, better living standards, and human rights.
“We shall endeavour to mobilise and to support the collective will of the G77+China towards this end for the common good of all member states,” he stated.
The G77+China was founded in 1964 by 77 countries to promote its members' collective economic interests and enhance joint negotiating capacity in the UN.
The bloc has since grown to 134 member states, making it the largest coalition in the UN ecosystem and playing a significant role in South-South cooperation.
