Event reinforces Japan’s cooperation toward a sustainable and pollution-free planet
15 Apr 2024 © UNEP/ Timothy Shitagwa
The Ambassador of Japan to Kenya, Ken Okaniwa, reinforced Japan’s commitment to environmental multilateralism in support of UNEP's initiatives and projects during the Japan Supplementary Budget 2023-2024 UNEP project kick-off ceremony held on 9 April 2024, organized by UNEP’s Regional Office for Africa and Policy and Programme Division..
Japan, known for its leadership in technological innovation and environmentalsustainability, has long been a staunch supporter of UNEP's mission to combat climatechange, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Leveraging its expertise and resources, Japanextended a grant totalling US$2,700,729 from the Japan Supplementary Budget 2023-2024to fund strategic projects under UNEP's umbrella.
During the ceremony, UNEP project managers shed light on transformative projectsfi nanced by the Japan Supplementary Budget 2023-2024, including the circular economy,plastic pollution reduction and the environmental assessment and monitoring of theimpacts of the war in Ukraine. In particular, the four projects slated for support are:
Accelerating a Circular Plastic Economy to Reduce Plastic Pollution and its Impactsin African Countries (Nigeria, Zimbabwe)
Local administrations’ capacity is enhanced for environmental assessments andmonitoring linked to the impacts of the war and the Nova Kakhovka Dam breach(Ukraine)
Feasibility Study on Plastic Recycling Towards a Circular Future in Asia: UnlockingPlastic Recycling Possibilities among Small and Medium Enterprises (Cambodia andPakistan)
Support to the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC).
© UNEP
The high-level event also hosted the High Commissioner of Zimbabwe to Kenya, WinpegMoyo, the Deputy Permanent Representative to the Mission of Ukraine to UNEP and UN-Habitat, Illia Karandas, and the Minister Counsellor of the Nigerian High Commission inKenya, Naret J. Hirse, representing the countries where the above-mentioned projects are tobe implemented.
As the world faces increasingly complex environmental threats, partnerships like the onebetween Japan and UNEP underscore the signifi cance of collaborative efforts insafeguarding our planet for future generations. The Japan Supplementary Budget 2023-2024 project kick-off ceremony signifi ed not only a milestone in environmental diplomacy but also a beacon of hope for a more sustainable and pollution-free planet.
