Ban Ki-moon tours Mukuru slums, says climate crisis is a global duty
Former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has come face to face with the deplorable conditions of those living in Kenyan slums.
Ki-moon toured Mukuru kwa Reuben on Monday morning.
At Mukuru, Ki-moon saw a heavily polluted river snaking its way through the slum.
He was also taken through black soldier fly farming by the youth from the community.
“Climate issue cannot be handled by only one country or one organization including the UN,” Ki-moon said.
“All should put their hands on the deck together that is why all African leaders are coming to Nairobi to make sure that necessary actions are being made to help people in this climate crisis.”
Ki-moon said there is a need to address the climate crisis saying there is no time to lose.
“We have only one planet Earth; we do not have planet B or any other option. Without addressing African challenges, we will never be able to declare that we are living in a peaceful and sustainable world,” Ki-moon said.
Ki-moon was the eighth UN Secretary-General.
His priorities have been to mobilize world leaders around a set of new global challenges, from climate change and economic upheaval to pandemics and increasing pressures involving food, energy, and water.
He has sought to be a bridge-builder, to give voice to the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people, and to strengthen the organization itself.
Ban held office from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2016.
On 21 June 2011, he was unanimously re-elected by the General Assembly for a second mandate.
One of the Secretary-General’s first major initiatives was the 2007 Climate Change Summit, followed by extensive diplomatic efforts that have helped put the issue at the forefront of the global agenda.
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The French Minister of Environment, Energy and Sea as well as the Denmark Minister were present.
Ki-moon who is also the chairman of the Global Centre on Adaptation chairman said there is a need to have resources for adaptation increased 10 times if the climate crisis is to be addressed.
“Currently, we are talking about $53 billion a year, should be more than $160 billion but there should be more and more,” Ki-moon said.
Ki-moon promised to help mobilize more resources to help address some of the challenges in the informal settlements.
Global Centre on Adaptation CEO Patrick Verkooijen said the Mukuru people have a plan on how to address some of the challenges.
“We are all living in the eye of climate emergency but Africa is ground zero. What we have heard from the people of Mukuru is very simple reality, adapt or die,” Verkooijen said.
“The financial flows from the international community to Africa are 11 billion dollars a year. All African nations have articulated their needs. 106 billion dollars is needed every year.”
He said there is a need to reform international finance architecture.
“The World Bank, IMF, and international finance institutions need to provide more targeted finance which has to come to local communities.”
“People of Mukuru and other communities cannot survive without finance let alone thrive.”
Ban Ki-moon tours Mukuru slums, says climate crisis is a global duty
