17 Presidents Arrive in Kenya for Vital Summit
Kenya, in partnership with the African Union, will host 17 heads of state for the inaugural Africa Climate Summit, which will be held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) from September 4 to 8.
Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua affirmed in a statement released on Tuesday that United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will also attend the important event.
Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Environment from various African nations, as well as dignitaries of high rank, have also confirmed their attendance, according to the senior diplomat.
In a statement, the CS remarked, “The diversity and breadth of participants is a clear indication that climate change is a universal challenge that requires a collective and inclusive approach to effectively address.”
The Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary confirmed that the Heads of State will present an ambitious Nairobi Declaration on Green Growth and Climate Finance Solutions during the summit.
According to the former governor of Machakos, the meeting will serve as a call to action, imploring African Union member states and supporting partners to champion the declaration’s effective implementation.
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“The declaration seeks to launch a renewed ambition for Africa and invite partnerships with the rest of the world,” explained Mutua.
President William Ruto and his fellow African leaders intend to use the summit to align Africa with the Global Climate Action initiative.
The 17 Heads of State will also exchange perspectives and begin to converge on common global discussion priorities, including the impending 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), COP28, and future meetings.
Ruto has steadfastly advocated for the implementation of measures to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change in Africa.
His administration remains on schedule to achieve its goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032, a strategic initiative aimed at achieving forest restoration and mitigating climate change’s far-reaching effects.
Given Africa’s disproportionate exposure to the effects of climate change, the President has consistently advocated for developed nations to assume their responsibility for funding climate change initiatives in Africa.
Guterres has invited the President to present the outcomes of the Africa Climate Summit at the high-level meeting on the Climate Ambition Summit scheduled for 20 September 2023 in New York during the high-level week of the United Nations General Assembly.
17 Presidents Arrive in Kenya for Vital Summit