E. Africa states join hands to save forests
President Uhuru Kenyatta (far right), Prince Albert II of Monaco (second right) and the executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme, Achim Steiner (second left), listen as United Nations General Assembly President John Ashe gives a speech during the official opening of the United Nations Environment Assembly, presided by the President Kenyatta, in Nairobi on June 26, 2014. AFP
Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania have announced their intentions to work together to curb the illegal timber trade in the region.
The three East Africa states will work with Interpol and UN agencies to stop the transit of timber illegally logged in the Democratic Republic of Congo through their territories.
The joint initiative was announced on Thursday at the first United Nations Environment Assemble (UNEA) in Nairobi.
Norway has said it will support the initiative, dubbed the "East Africa Initiative on Illegal Timber Trade and REDD+."
”I am very enthusiastic to learn that there is great interest from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda to tackle illegal logging and trade,” said Tine Sundtoft, Norway's minister of climate and environment.
'WHOLESALE DESTRUCTION'
“We know that these illegal activities constitute an important driver of deforestation and forest degradation in the region.”
“Norway is committed to supporting this initiative and congratulates the countries, the UN and Interpol for coming together and announcing their dedication to work together on this important initiative,” she said.
United Nations Environmental Programme Executive (Unep) Director Achim Steiner also expressed his support for the initiative.
“We cannot afford, economically or environmentally, to allow the continued wholesale destruction of one of our planet’s most valuable resources,” he said.
“That is why Unep applauds the East Africa Initiative on Illegal Timber Trade and the firm commitment of the governments of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda to help ensure the responsible management of one of the most important sources of inclusive and sustainable economic growth available to us.”
