Guests unveil the Interim Secretariat of the China-Africa Environmental Cooperation Center at the United Nations Office in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, on Aug. 17, 2018. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)

NAIROBI, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- The interim secretariat to manage the China-Africa environmental cooperation center has been launched at the United Nations Office at Nairobi, Kenya.

Joyce Msuya, deputy executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), said the China-Africa environment cooperation center, when operational, will revitalize inclusive and green growth in Africa.

"The center is a platform for South-South cooperation to protect our environment and boost China-Africa cooperation," Msuya remarked, adding that the center will boost Africa's quest for economic prosperity that is ecologically sensitive.

Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Sun Baohong, senior Kenyan officials and members of the diplomatic corps witnessed the launch of the Interim Secretariat for the China-Africa Environmental Cooperation Center.

It is hoped that the center will act as a hub for capacity building and sharing of best practices between China and African countries to advance UN 2030 goals linked to environment.

Sun revealed that China has already allocated 1 million U.S. dollars to support key operations of the center that will serve as a hub for environmental policy interaction and dialogue, training and capacity building.

File photo shows then Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Liu Xianfa (R) and Kenya's Secretary for Environment and Natural Resources Judi Wakhungu (C) view the China-aided automatic weather station during the handover ceremony in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, Sept. 11, 2017. Kenya's Ministry of Environment on Monday benefited from an automated weather forecast device donated by China as efforts to upgrade meteorological services in the East African nation gathers steam. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

Chinese Minister of Ecology and Environment Li Ganjie, in a congratulatory letter read on his behalf by Liu Ning, deputy permanent representative to the UNEP, said China is committed to helping Africa realize green aspirations.

"China will share with African friends the concepts and experiences in our ecological progress and environmental protection, promote mutual communication and cooperation, and jointly address global environmental challenges," said Li.

Beyene Russom, the dean of the African Diplomatic Corps said he was optimistic that China-Africa environment cooperation center will catalyze green development in the continent.