UN environment agency celebrates anniversary

(February 20, 2012) Hundreds of runners took to the roads of Nairobi in Kenya on Sunday to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and raise awareness about green issues. More than 200 runners competed in a half-marathon race and over 300 others took part in a five-kilometre fun run. In the five-kilometre race, dignitaries and officials from 150 countries attending a UNEP meeting this week in Nairobi were invited to run alongside famous runners such as Patrick Makau, the current world record holder in the marathon, and Paul Tergat, the former world record holder and an Ambassador Against Hunger for the UN World Food Programme (WFP). “This is the ultimate opportunity for athletes to demonstrate their support for the work of the UN Environment Programme in protecting the environment for the past decades,” said Tergat, whose foundation co-organized the races with UNEP and Athletics Kenya. Amina Mohamed, UNEP's deputy executive director thanked the public for not only joining the event but also for showing commitment to continue supporting UNEP in its work to protect the environment.