UN hosts concert on environment pollution

United Nations Environmental Programme on Wednesday played host to a concert aimed at raising awareness on environmental pollution.

Executive director Achim Steiner who was enthralled by the performance used the occasion to call for optimism amongst humans.
“Most of the problems in this world including environmental conservation require optimism. Everyone can do something to improve the world,” he said.

The concert, the first of its kind to be held at the UN headquarters in Nairobi, was hosted by the South Korean embassy and organised by Beautiful Mind Charity, an organisation that promotes cultural diplomacy.

“This is a rare occurrence, and it shows that there is more to the world than technicalities and conflicts. There is a lot we can do together,” Mr Steiner said. The concert which was graced by South Korean Ambassador to Kenya Lee Han-Gon brought together diplomats and people of more than 50 different nationalities. Mr Steiner praised the Korean musicians for opening up the world to Korean music and traditions.

“This is the spirit of the United Nations,” he said.

Among the performers was pianist Kyeong Min Kim, who suffers from cerebral palsy, an ailment that affects performance of body organs.

He started playing piano in 1995, and his condition meant that he played using fists instead of fingers. Slowly, he adjusted due to determination and passion, and at last was able to play the piano.

His performance of Beethoven’s Sonata, and Yukhi Kuramoto’s Romance left the audience lost for words.

“I decided to play piano because it is what I enjoy most and love,” he said.