SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY HON. MWAI KIBAKI, C.G.H., M.P., PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE DEFENCE FORCES OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA DURING THE STATE DINNER HOSTED IN HONOUR OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS H.E. MR. BAN KI MOON AND MEMBERS OF THE UN CHIEF EXECUTIVES BOARD AT HOTEL INTERCONTINENTAL, NAIROBI, 31ST MARCH, 2011

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Honourable  Ban Ki Moon,

Members of the United Nations Chief Executives Board,

Excellencies,

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to host you this evening for dinner in honour of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and members of the United Nations Chief Executives Board. It is a great honour for us as a country to host you, Mr. Secretary-General, and your high powered team that is in charge of the workings of this integral global body. 

Indeed, since its inception, the United Nations has endeavored to positively transform the world.  I take this opportunity to assure you of Kenya’s abiding commitment to the principles of the United Nations and to reaffirm our resolve to partner with you in addressing the challenges facing the international community in the 21st Century.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
I note with satisfaction that Kenya and the United Nations have forged an excellent framework of cooperation geared towards delivering tangible results that make a real difference in the lives of our people.  The Government of Kenya, will continue to work closely with all U.N. agencies with a view to accelerating the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals by TWENTY FIFTEEN.

I am happy to note that Kenya has put in place the framework needed to support critical sectors of our economy to achieve economic and human development.  In this regard, I wish to acknowledge with appreciation the important role of the United Nations in our endeavor to achieve the M.D.G. targets.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
As a country we are happy to be hosting two U.N. agencies that are dealing with critical issues of our time. 

As the host to the United Nations Environment Programme, Kenya is fully committed to the achievement of sustainable environment as one of the targets of the Millennium Development Goals.  We are, therefore, investing massive resources to achieve our goal of a green economy.

Kenya is also a proud host of UN-HABITAT that is at the forefront of dealing with the challenges of housing and urbanization in the world.  We see this as a critical world challenge as nearly half of the world’s population now lives in urban centers.  The Kenyan government is therefore fully committed to ensuring that Nairobi offers world-class facilities and infrastructure in Kenya.  In addition, we are determined to ensure that United Nations staff and all other people in our country live and work in a safe and secure environment.

Mr. Secretary General,
Before I conclude my remarks, I wish to emphasize that regional peace and security is a matter at the heart of the Kenyan people.  I thank the United Nations for supporting Kenya and IGAD in the search for lasting peace and security in Somalia and Sudan. 
It is clear that our concerted efforts, as demonstrated by the positive developments in the Sudan, are not in vain.  However, the situation in Somalia remains fluid and unpredictable.  The internal instability in Somalia has resulted in the twin problems of terrorism and piracy. 

These challenges are international and call for urgent and resolute international interventions to bring them to an end.  

I look forward to the UN Security Council playing its rightful role in ending the protracted internal strife in Somalia for the sake of millions of innocent people, including women and children who continue to bear the brunt of lawlessness in that country.

In conclusion, Mr. Secretary-General, I wish you and the entire UN delegation fruitful deliberations during your series of high-level meetings in Nairobi. 

I also urge you all to take advantage of your visit to Nairobi to sample the unrivalled beauty of our natural heritage and to enjoy the warm hospitality of our people.

I now wish to request you all to be upstanding for a toast to the warm and cordial relations between the United Nations and Kenya.

Thank you and God bless you all.