On November 1, 2023, the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) had the honor of hosting His Majesty King Charles III during his official visit to the only United Nations headquarters located in the Commonwealth.
Two activities also took place to coincide with His Majesty’s visit. First, there was the inaugural in-person meeting of the Sustainable Market Initiative Africa Council, comprising private sector leaders from across the globe working to strengthen global partnerships around climate finance and urban sustainability.
Additionally, two roundtable discussions were held, chaired by the UK Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, with the participation of the UNEP Executive Director, Inger Anderson and UN HABITAT Deputy Executive Director, Michal Mlynár. These discussions focused on how the public and private sectors can collaborate on areas that will generate exposure for UNEP and UN HABITAT.
“Our UNDSS colleagues did a marvelous job by ensuring a smooth and secure visit, free from any security incidents,” mentioned the UNON’s Director General, Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura.
During his speech to UN personnel, His Majesty underscored the importance of ongoing environmental protection as a shared responsibility, stating, "I have personally witnessed the devastating consequences of climate change and the loss of biodiversity." To conclude this occasion, Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura summarized the significance of the day, highlighting the power of international cooperation and shared commitment in addressing climate change and environmental protection.