Permanent Representation to the United Nations in Nairobi

The Permanent Representation (PR), located in the Netherlands Embassy, is responsible for all contacts with the UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) and UN HABITAT’s Headquarters in Nairobi. The Permanent Representative and Deputy Permanent Representative attend meetings of UNEP and UN HABITAT and they help prepare UN Environment Assemblies (UNEA), which is once every two years. They also attend coordination meetings of the European Union concerning UN matters on behalf of the Netherlands.

United Nations Environment Programme

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP plays an important role in assessing global, regional and national environmental conditions and trends. It also develops international and national environmental instruments and it strengthens institutions for the wise management of the environment.

UNEP focuses on the following seven thematic priorities:

  • Climate change
  • Disasters and conflicts
  • Ecosystem management
  • Environmental governance
  • Chemicals and waste
  • Resource efficiency
  •  Environment under review

The Netherlands has a good working relationship with UNEP and is a strong supporter of its work. The Netherlands has been a major donor of UNEP for many years, but it also engages in critical dialogue.

United Nations Human Settlements Programme

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN HABITAT) is the United Nations programme working towards a better urban future. UN-Habitat envisions well-planned, sustainable and efficient cities and other human settlements, with adequate housing, infrastructure, and universal access to employment and basic services such as water, energy, and sanitation.  

Beyond its traditional core areas — such as city planning, infrastructure development, and participatory slum upgrading — UN-Habitat also focuses on urban legislation and risk management, as well as gender, youth and capacity building for all actors involved in the urbanization process. UN-Habitat undertakes cutting edge research on urban trends and it establishes think thanks and networks that enable governments, experts, civil society groups, multilateral organizations, the private sector and other development partners to jointly address present and future urban predicaments.

Contact details

Phone

+254 20 4288 217

Name  Job title
Mr. Maarten Brouwer Permanent Representative
Ms. Gudi Alkemade  Deputy Permanent Representative