After approval from the President during the 36th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Kenya is ready to host the Africa Climate Summit in September this year.
Speaking during the unveiling of the preparations in Nairobi, Cabinet Secretary {CS} for Environment Climate Change and Forestry, Soipan Tuya, said that President Ruto is clear that the Summit will chart a Green Growth pathway for the African Continent, setting the stage for Africa to lead the globe towards a more ecologically responsible global industrialization.
“The rallying theme for the Africa Climate Summit will be ‘Africa Together for Bold, Innovative and Resourced Climate Action’ which will be anchored on six pillars; Climate Finance, Mitigation and Green Growth, Climate Adaptation and Resilience, Loss and Damage, Climate Vulnerable groups and Research Innovation and Technology,” stated Tuya.
The CS noted that the Summit will provide a platform for consolidating Africa’s voice ahead of this year’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and the UN Secretary General’s Climate Summit in September.
She added that the Summit will be an in-person event, including side events and other parallel sessions that can be held in a hybrid format, noting that pre-events are planned by various stakeholders, including the youth, civil society; Business groups, and academia amongst others, whereas the main events will be held at KICC’s main Conference Centers; with side events to be held at KICC and other venues within Nairobi.
“Both the Africa Climate Summit (ACS) and the Africa Climate Week (ACW 2023) will, therefore, be held concurrently at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC),” the CS reiterated.
Tuya disclosed that the journey towards both the Africa Climate Summit and the Africa Climate Week in September this year, has formally and officially commenced.
“We are formally starting the accreditation process for delegates from various stakeholder groups. The publicity, security, and public health protocols, as well as logistics for the events are on course, onwards, you will be seeing more information and updates on the Africa Climate Summit and the Africa Climate Week across various media Channels,” explained Tuya
She remarked that Kenya has collaborated with the Government of Denmark through the Danish Embassy in Nairobi that have provided finances for securing magnificent Secretariat Office and to meet the costs of other aspects of the Summit.
Further, she appealed for other support and called upon all interested Stakeholders to reach out to the Secretariat and Steering Committees with any support and partnership initiatives.
Tuya said that Climate Change is considered as one of the three crises affecting Africa inclusive of loss of biodiversity and pollution.
She additionally cited Reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), including the latest 6th Assessment Report, which shows that despite Africa being the least emitter of greenhouse gases, the continent suffers the worst effects of climate change, affecting livelihoods and development aspirations.
The CS said that Climate Change is a global problem and solutions are analyzed within the processes of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which brings together diverse stakeholders in the public and private sectors within a common goal of addressing climate change and providing space for a grassroots exchange of knowledge and best practices on the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
By Peace Muthoka
