The National Council of NGOs has called on the government to push for the implementation of the resolutions of the Nairobi Declaration made during the Africa Climate Summit (ACS) 2023, which seeks to build Africa’s resilience against climate change.
The chairman of the National Council of NGOs, Mr. Stephen Cheboi, lauded the president for hosting the first ever Africa Climate Change Summit that brought together several African leaders and stakeholders.
Addressing the press on Thursday, Cheboi said that there were many resolutions made that needed to be put into action.
Cheboi challenged the government through the African Union (AU) and other stakeholders to fully implement the resolutions made on climate change issues, which are still affecting the world and many people are suffering due to their negative impact.
The Chairman noted that, as a Council, they are urging the governments to push for the implementation of the resolutions since many summits have been held around climate but there have not been any positive outcomes, adding that there have been no success stories recorded.
Cheboi added that African governments should be at the forefront of pushing partners from other countries globally to allocate resources towards mitigating the effects of climate change and adapting to the situation.
The primary goal of the briefing was to appreciate and support the Kenyan government for the summit, as it comes at the right time when the world has made a lot of pledges through bilateral institutions and not much has been done.
“The leaders have done their best, but this time we should now work towards realising the same goals and objectives,” he said.
Cheboi noted that implementation of the resolutions made during the climate summit is key to moving the country forward.
The three-day summit saw global government officers gather at KICC Nairobi to speak on crucial matters pertaining to climate. The theme of the event was driving green growth and climate finance solutions for Africa and the world.
African leaders and climate activists called for the world’s richest nations to be held accountable for their impact on the environment and for pledging support that has not yet been met.
The climate summit revealed that many African countries face disproportionate burdens and risks arising from climate change-related, unpredictable weather events and patterns, including prolonged drought, devastating floods, and wild fires, which cause massive humanitarian crises with detrimental impacts on economies, health, education, peace, and security, among other risks.
President Dr. William Ruto noted that Africa can meet all its energy needs from renewable resources, saying the continent has enough potential to be completely self-sufficient with a mix of wind, solar, geothermal, sustainable biomass, and hydropower.
Ruto advocated for restorative agriculture as a means of addressing food security, stating that Africa has experienced a one-third decline in agricultural products due to climate change, a reminder of the urgent need for adaptation.
By Venah Onyango and Stephannie Ndunge
