NAIROBI, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's ministries of environment and tourism have partnered with international conservation groups to develop an online portal to enhance information sharing on activities that advance sustainable development, officials have said.
Keriako Tobiko, cabinet secretary in the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, said the digital portal will help store and disseminate information on sustainable practice like protection of habitats and resource use efficiency.
"We have an obligation to leverage on technology and promote sharing of knowledge and best practices that can provide solution to environmental challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation," said Tobiko.
He spoke at a high level dialogue on sustainable development, conservation and climate action organized by the Kenyan government and Conservation International on the sidelines of the UN Environment Assembly underway in Nairobi.
Keriako said that Kenya's inaugural online portal that is at the trial phase will help integrate and visualize data on key sustainability themes like food security, wildlife protection, restoration of rangelands and climate resilience.
Najib Balala, cabinet secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, said the government is keen to tap into accurate data to help inform policy interventions that addresses ecological challenges like habitat loss.
"Access to data is key to facilitating development of policies that promotes conservation of habitats. The online portal once operational will assist policymakers to respond better to challenges facing our wildlife that include poaching, drought and shrinking habitats," said Balala.
Michael Onyeka, senior vice president for Africa at Conservation International, said that data driven interventions are required to promote sustainable and inclusive growth in Kenya.
"The online information sharing portal Kenya is developing jointly will enhance the capacity of policymakers and citizens to make a positive contribution to sustainability agenda like food security and protection of natural capital," said Onyeka.
