Kibaki returns from Rio +20 summit

President Kibaki returned to the country Monday morning from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where he attended the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio +20).

During the conference, President Kibaki welcomed the decision to strengthen the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) by establishing universal membership in the Governing Council and progressively consolidating its headquarters functions in Nairobi.

The President noted that the move would ensure UNEP has secure, stable and adequate financial resources from the regular budget of the UN and voluntary contributions to fulfil its mandate.

In this regard, President Kibaki pledged the commitment of the Kenya Government to provide office and support facilities for the expanded membership of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Governing Council.

On the sideline of the conference, President Kibaki met and held talks with His Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco.

The President appealed for the support of the Prince of Monaco in linking Kenyan green projects with international carbon trading dealers.

President Kibaki also held talks with Dr. Michael Malin, the Chief Executive officer of the Brazilian Development Bank, who said his bank will extend a soft loan of 80 million US Dollars towards the mechanization of agriculture in Kenya.

Dr. Malin said his bank will also extend further financing in excess of 150 million US Dollars towards the construction of link roads and interchanges to decongest the city of Nairobi.

During the visit to Brazil, President Kibaki was awarded the prestigious Medal of Industrial Merit by the Federation of Industries of the State of Sao Paulo.

The President was awarded the medal in recognition of his outstanding efforts towards promoting entrepreneurship and industrial development in Kenya.

In bestowing the medal, the President of the Federation of Industries of the State of Sao Paulo, Mr. Paulo Skaf, congratulated President Kibaki for turning the Kenyan economy around despite many domestic and external challenges.

The plane carrying President Kibaki and his entourage touched down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport shortly after 6.00 a.m.

On arrival, the President was received by Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, Defence Minister and acting Minister for Internal Security Yussuf Haji and senior Government officials led by the acting Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Mr. Francis Kimemia.

Thereafter, President Kibaki inspected a guard of honour mounted by a detachment of the Kenya Air Force before he was entertained by choirs and groups of cultural dancers.