President William Ruto emphasized the need for worldwide cooperation to combat global warming during his address at the Africa Climate Summit, held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi on Tuesday.
In his speech, President Ruto asserted that addressing climate action and human development separately or in adversarial ways would not lead to significant change.
He stated, “We cannot pursue climate action through insular, solitary policies. Global warming cannot be mitigated by air-conditioning our little pockets and corners of the world.” He stressed that prosperity should not be pursued in a zero-sum, exclusive manner, as such approaches lead to injustice, inequality, poverty, conflict, and environmental degradation.
Ruto emphasized the interconnectedness of nations, highlighting that the current moment presents a unique opportunity to reconnect with our shared humanity.
The President referred to the summit, which began on Monday and concludes on Wednesday, as a precursor to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) scheduled for November 30 to December 12 in Dubai.
He described it as an orientation run to prepare for a future driven by African solutions, powered by Africa’s resources, and based on African opportunities.
Ruto stressed that this is an urgent moment in history, and African nations must address climate change with the urgency it deserves. He urged African states to innovate and collaborate to tackle the climate crisis effectively.
The Africa Climate Summit, with the theme “Driving Green Growth and Climate Finance Solutions for Africa and the World,” was organized by the African Union Commission in partnership with the Kenyan government.
Its purpose is to enable African nations to develop specific plans, secure necessary resources and investments, advocate for changes in the global financial system, share knowledge and practical solutions, and update Africa’s development and climate vision.
During the summit, the United Arab Emirates announced a substantial clean energy investment of $4.5 billion (Ksh.656.4 billion) in Africa.
The three-day event drew the participation of heads of state, government officials, and industry leaders, including representatives from Mozambique and Tanzania, as well as United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry.
