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UNEP and Sweden Host Conference on Climate Impact on Kenya
Nairobi, 11 November - Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga were among those who gathered today in Nairobi, Kenya, to discuss the impact of climate change in the country and on the African continent.
"I would like to emphasize the common challenge because this is indeed what it is, it is a challenge that we must face and take on together to protect, preserve and restore our common environment," said H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, who opened the Climate Change Conference.
Addressing the meeting, Kenya's Prime Minister Raila Odinga warned that: "Our survival depends on doing away with illusions and pretences and face the danger knocking at our door. If we start the blame game of who was responsible and who is responsible, we will all be victims tomorrow."
The meeting, which was organized by the United Nations Environment Programme in partnership with the Swedish Government, aimed to raise awareness on the implications of climate change on the economy and vulnerable groups in Kenya.
"The recent drought in Kenya affected the tea, horticulture and the tourism sectors which are the mainstays of its economy," Angela Cropper, UNEP's Deputy Executive Director, told participants.
"Climate change has the potential to affect several critical sectors of the global economy as well as entire national economies with debilitating consequences for human wellbeing," she warned.
Sweden, which currently holds the Presidency of the European Union, highlighted the urgency for tackling climate change in Kenya and beyond.
"As I stand here, the snow of Mount Kilimanjaro is melting, the fish in the Indian Ocean are dying, the sea levels are rising and islands are threatened," said Ann Dismorr, Sweden's Ambassador to Kenya.
"Climate change is one of the most important challenges we face today," she added. "If we don't meet this challenge, the impacts on the society will be devastating."
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