Kenya and UNDP Deepen Climate and Biodiversity Partnership in High-Level Talks

The Principal Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Festus K. Ng’eno, this week hosted a high-level delegation from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Kenya, led by Resident Representative Jean-Luc Stalon, in a meeting that underscored the growing depth of collaboration between Kenya and the UN agency on climate action, environmental sustainability, and biodiversity conservation.

The discussions touched on a broad portfolio of joint initiatives and charted a course for expanded engagement across several upcoming national and global environmental milestones.

A key agenda item was the status of the IMKA Gold Project, a UNDP Kenya-implemented programme spanning Kakamega, Vihiga, Narok, and Migori counties. With the project set to conclude in May 2026, Dr. Ng’eno noted that significant milestones have been achieved across the four counties and that project sites are on track for formal commissioning during the close-out phase.

The meeting also highlighted UNDP’s support for data collection efforts in climate-vulnerable hotspots, where trained enumerators have been deployed to gather evidence that will facilitate Kenya’s access to the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) under the Barbados Implementation Modalities.

Dr. Ng’eno underscored the importance of using this data to inform Kenya’s initial formal report on loss and damage, building on foundational assessments conducted in 2020. The data is expected to strengthen Kenya’s voice in international climate finance negotiations and bolster its case for accessing dedicated loss and damage resources.

The Principal Secretary welcomed UNDP’s leadership in convening the upcoming BIOFIN Conference, scheduled for April 28, 2026. The conference will bring together government officials, technical experts, and stakeholders with the aim of accelerating implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Priority areas on the agenda include revising National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), aligning national biodiversity targets, mobilising financing, and mainstreaming biodiversity considerations across critical sectors such as agriculture.

Dr. Ng’eno extended a formal invitation to UNDP to partner with the State Department across a series of high-profile environmental engagements in the months ahead:

International Day for Biological Diversity (May 22, 2026) – To be marked in Elgeyo Marakwet County, the occasion will serve as the launch platform for the CHERISH Restoration Programme, spearheaded by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought (June 17, 2026) – Slated for Kilifi County, the event will spotlight Kenya’s ongoing efforts to address land degradation and drought resilience.

Oceans Conference (June 16–18, 2026) – To be hosted in Mombasa, the conference will convene global stakeholders on ocean governance, blue economy, and marine conservation.

Mau Conservation Marathon (July 3, 2026) – Under the transformative MFC-ICLIP programme, Dr. Ng’eno invited UNDP to support the second edition of the Mau Conservation Marathon in Kuresoi. A flagship initiative for mobilising resources and public participation for the restoration of the Mau Forest ecosystem, the marathon’s registration portal is set to go live in early May in Nakuru County.

The meeting, attended by Everlyn Koech and Yvonne Nyokabi from UNDP Kenya, alongside Vicky Betty, Mayiani Saino, and Winnie Masaku from the State Department for Environment and Climate Change, reaffirmed the strong institutional bond between Kenya and UNDP.

Both sides expressed a shared commitment to advancing sustainable development, climate resilience, and environmental conservation, not only for current generations but for those yet to come.

As Kenya approaches a busy season of environmental diplomacy and domestic programming, the deepened UNDP partnership positions the country to leverage international expertise, technical support, and financing to meet its ambitious climate and biodiversity goals.