The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya

THE PHILIPPINES TAKES PART IN LANDMARK AGREEMENT TO END PLASTIC POLLUTION IN UNEA-5.2

UNEA 5.2

Philippine Permanent Representative to UNEP H.E. Marie Charlotte G. Tang (rightmost) during the standing ovation upon the adoption of the UNEA resolution, “End of plastic pollution: Towards an international legally binding instrument” on 2 March 2022

Nairobi – The Philippines joined other countries in adopting the historic resolution to end plastic pollution at theresumed session of the fifth UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2) in Nairobi on 28 February – 2 March 2022.

The resolution starts the process to craft an international legally binding agreement to end plastic pollution, addressing the full lifecycle of plastic products, from production, design to disposal. The resolution targets 2024 as the date of completion of the new agreement.

Held back-to-back with UNEA-5.2 was the UNEP@50 Special Session marking 50 years of the work on the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The two events saw the attendance of 3,000 in-person and 1,500 online participants from 175 UN Member States, including Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, other African Heads of State, environment ministers and other high-level officials.

UNEA-5.2 adopted a total of 14 resolutions, two declarations and one decision on a wide range of environmental issues.

The UNEP is the world’s global authority that sets the environment agenda and works with 193 Member States, representatives from civil society, businesses and other major groups and stakeholders. It is based in Nairobi, at the only UN headquarters in the global south.

The next session of UNEA, UNEA-6, will be held in 2024 in Nairobi.

PH EMBASSY IN NAIROBI JOINS THE GLOBAL OBSERVANCE OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

2022 National Womens Month Celebration

Nairobi – The Philippine Embassy in Nairobi, led by Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang, joined the annual observance of the International Women’s Day and the Philippine National Women’s Month by supporting the #PurpleTuesdays campaign on 08 March 2022. Internationally, purple symbolizes women and also signifies justice and dignity.

To mark the occasion, Consul Maria Rosanna O. Josue conducted a briefing on basic security awareness and risk assessment with the aim of empowering the Embassy’s personnel, particularly women, about their rights and their possible courses of action when faced with security threats and related emergencies.

To show appreciation for the role of women as agents of change in the society and as part of continuing observance of health protocols against COVID-19, the Embassy also gave its women clients simple kits containing hand sanitizers, purple roses, and Kikoy masks, made from the traditional Swahili woven cloth of the same name.

The Embassy purchased the Kikoy masks in support of Kenyan women in poverty who hand-stitched these at their homes while taking care of their families.

Taking on the theme “We Make Change Work for Women” for the period 2017-2022, the National Women’s Month Celebration endeavors to highlight the gains achieved for women and girls, assess actions towards gender equality, and look forward to steps that must be taken to ensure progress in empowering women. END.

PH EMBASSY IN NAIROBI WELCOMES NEW AMBASSADOR

Arrival of Ambassador Marie Char

NAIROBI – New Philippine Ambassador to Kenya Marie Charlotte G. Tang was warmly welcomed by the officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Nairobi and Mr. Edward Mwangi, Asia Division Deputy Director of the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on 31 January 2022 at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi.

As the Philippines’ top envoy to Kenya, Ambassador-designate Tang will also be accredited to the 11 other African countries under the Embassy’s jurisdiction, namely Burundi, Comoros, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. She will also serve as the Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Program and the UN Habitat.

Ms. Tang is a career diplomat. Prior to her latest appointment, she was the Deputy Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs at the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs.

Her previous foreign assignments included as the Philippine Consul General in Guangzhou, China; Minister and Consul General at the Philippine Embassy in The Hague, The Netherlands, and earlier, as a junior officer at the Philippine Embassy in Beijing, China.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Sto. Tomas in Manila and a master’s degree in Asian Studies from the University of the Philippines. END.

PH EMBASSY IN NAIROBI CELEBRATES CHILDREN’S WEEK THROUGH PINOY STORYTELLING

20220128 Childrens Week Celebration

(Nairobi PE Chargé d'affaires Maria Rosanna Josue interacts with a student during the storytelling activity)

NAIROBI – The Philippine Embassy in Nairobi, led by Chargé d'affaires, ad interim, Maria Rosanna Josue, conducted a storytelling activity at Pink Tower Children’s House, a kindergarten school in Nairobi, on 28 January 2022 in celebration of the Children’s Week.

CDA Josue gave life to Filipino children’s books titled, “Ang Mabait na Kalabaw” by Virgilio Almario and “Bakit Matagal ang Sundo Ko?” by Kristine Canon to around 45 Kenyan and other international students, aged five to seven years old. These stories teach moral lessons and good character traits every child should possess, such as patience, kindness, generosity, cheerfulness, and diligence.

“Through this storytelling activity, we hope to impart important values that Filipinos are known for as we celebrate the National Children’s Week in the Philippines,” said CDA Josue.

The children thanked CDA Josue for sharing engaging stories and looked forward to another activity with the Embassy.

The Children’s Week is observed annually every fourth week of January pursuant to Proclamation No. 190, s. 1964, signed by President Diosdado Macapagal. END.