Nairobi, Kenya — In a show of renewed commitment to environmental diplomacy and sustainable ocean governance, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change & Forestry, Dr. Deborah Mlongo Barasa, on Thursday, May 23, 2025, joined national and international delegates at the Second Edition of the Nairobi Environmental Diplomacy (NED) Symposium, held at the United States International University-Africa (USIU-A).
Accompanied by Principal Secretary Dr. Eng. Festus K. Ng’eno, and with Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS, H.E. Dr. Hon. Musalia W. Mudavadi serving as the Chief Guest, the high-level forum convened a broad coalition of stakeholders—from diplomats and scientists to civil society leaders and development partners—committed to tackling urgent environmental challenges.
In her keynote address, Dr. Barasa emphasized the timeliness of the symposium, as Kenya gears up for two major global summits: the Third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC-3) in Nice, France, and the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2) on plastic pollution in Geneva.
“Let us keep in mind that diplomacy is not just the art of negotiation but also the architecture of hope—a hope that cuts beyond boundaries, ideologies, and short-term interests,” Dr. Barasa stated.
She reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to SDG 14: Life Below Water, praised the Nice Ocean Action Declaration, and pushed for greater representation of the Global South, especially coastal communities and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Barasa also highlighted Kenya’s progress in marine conservation, including the creation of marine protected areas, the nationwide ban on single-use plastics, and advancements in blue economy initiatives. She called for a legally binding global treaty on plastics that addresses the full lifecycle of plastics and safeguards both environmental and human health.
On his part, Dr. Mudavadi raised alarm over mounting threats to marine ecosystems, including Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, deep-sea mining, maritime crime, and plastic pollution. He advocated for:
1. A science-policy panel to guide ocean governance.
2. A robust legal instrument for sustainable ocean management.
3. A UN Ocean Finance Facility to fund climate-resilient marine initiatives.
Dr. Mudavadi also endorsed the adoption of a global plastics treaty at the upcoming Geneva summit and celebrated the African Union’s support for the UNEP Secretariat role in treaty negotiations—a move he described as crucial for enhancing global environmental governance.
Also present were Prof. Mwenda Ntarangwi (Vice Chancellor, USIU-A), Mr. Ibukun Adewumi (Head of UNESCO-IOC Africa), along with ambassadors, high commissioners, and key representatives from academia, civil society, and the private sector.
The NED Symposium marks a growing recognition of Africa’s leadership in shaping international environmental policy, and the need for collaborative diplomacy that drives action beyond promises.
The Moment for Women Magazine continues to follow these developments closely—particularly the implications for women-led environmental movements and community-based resilience across the continent.
