The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) has endorsed Kenya as a safe destination to visit, following the start of the first United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA) conference, held in Nairobi.

During the opening of the four-day conference UNEP director, Achim Steiner said the organisation was pleased with the steps the Kenyan government is taking to tackle the recent security issues and that the United Nations would continue its support of the destination.

The United Nations has also expressed confidence in Kenya and assured the organisation will work with the Government in achieving its development agenda.

“Don't let anyone sow the seeds of doubt. We have been part of Kenya and we will continue being here,” Mr Steiner said.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta acknowledged the UNEP's close cooperation with the Kenyan government as he announced that his administration will embark on programs to make Nairobi “a truly UN city”.

“We will do more to make Nairobi a competitive UN city by improving the infrastructure, creating more conference facilities and reducing crime,” said the President.

“We want Nairobi to continue being at the centre of environmental sustainability,” he said.

Mr Steiner praised Kenya for its role as a leader in innovations aiming to protect the environment.

“Kenya is among the top ten countries in innovation in renewable energy and that role is recognised by the UN,” he said.

Mr Steiner presented a report to the President, which was released yesterday by UNEP, on illegal trade in wildlife products such as ivory and rhino horns. The report was prepared by the UN and Interpol.

The conference took place from 23 to 27 June, 2014, and hosted over 1,200 high-level participants from 193 member states across the globe.

The meeting was a clear sign of the continued support by the government to conserve the environment and protect wildlife through a number of initiatives. The conference also united distinguished personalities as key speakers and chief guests, an indication of the overall global support the destination is receiving.

Additionally, the positive messages have been reinforced with an online media campaign #whyIlovekenya launched by Kenya's tourism marketing agency Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) and has attracted global attention.

Thousands of fans have engaged in the online campaign, sharing their images which depict why they love Kenya and the underlining messages of the diverse and magical experiences the destination offers visitors.

KTB managing director Muriithi Ndegwa said “the campaign is one of the strategies towards tourism recovery that has been launched in response to some of the recent issues the destination has faced.

“We encourage all Kenya lovers to get posting with their beautiful pictures and including the hastag #WhyILoveKenya and handle @magicalkenya,” Mr Ndegwa said.

Kenya lovers can also keep up-to-date via:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/KenyaTourism?ref=ts&fref=ts

Twitter - https://twitter.com/MagicalKenya

Instagram – http://instagram.com/magicalkenya

For more information on Kenya visit www.magicalkenya.com

For media enquires contact:

Natalie Schofield
Natalie.schofield@gtitourism.com.au
+61 (0) 2 90283569