President Ruto today welcomed attendees to the Africa Climate Summit 2023 (ACS23). The inaugural ACS is now underway at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Kenya. Over 30,000 regional and international delegates representing governments, international organisations, and private entities had already confirmed their attendance by close of registration last week, with some of them arriving into the country on Saturday where they were received by Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Ministry led Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua who was accompanied by Susan Nakhumicha, the Health Ministry’s Cabinet Secretary. Attendees have been streaming into the country ever since.
The Summit whose theme this year is “Driving Green Growth and Climate Finance Solutions for Africa and the World” is championed by H.E President William Ruto and is expected to chart the way forward for Africa’s united approach to actively participate and play a leading role in Global Climate Action. As expected, President Ruto arrived at the venue early Monday morning. He was received by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua alongside Environmental Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya who were flanked by other leaders.
Surprisingly, President Ruto drove himself from State House Nairobi to the ACS23 at KICC in an electric vehicle, which may be rightfully interpreted as Kenya’s President sending a strong message of his government’s commitment to ending unbearable pollution, as well as an inspiration for others to play their part for Climate Action.
Photo courtesy: PCS
In his opening speech at the KICC, the president welcomed attendees to Kenya, pointing out that Kenya is considered by scientists as the cradle of human kind owing to the fact that humanity’s oldest remains were found in Kenya, dated as far back as 7 million years ago.
“Before you guys went all over the place, this is where we all began, therefore allow me to welcome you home,” said President Ruto.
H.E President William Ruto revealed his government’s plan to further open up Kenya to foreigners by abolishing Visa requirements in a bid to encourage more collaboration in realising global climate action goals, and other SDGs.
“In a few months we as Kenyans are considering abolishing any visa requirements, because it is unfair to ask anybody coming home for a visa,” said Ruto again referring to Kenya as the cradle of humankind.
He went ahead to make good use of Nairobi’s bragging rights for being the only capital city in the world with a National Park within its borders.
“Nairobi is a very interesting city, on one side there is a full canopy forest and on the other side we have a wild-lifed national park,” he said, adding that it’s commonplace for some wildlife to venture beyond the confines of the park, jokingly cautioning the visitors from attempting to pet or tame any wild animal that they may come across on their escapades in Nairobi City.“…so while you are doing your morning walk (if) you encounter a lion, Please be careful it is not tamed, it is wild,” cautioned President Ruto in his opening speech.
ACS23 is expected to bring to life a comprehensive guide for Africa’s role in mitigating the effects of climate change. The guide will be packaged and signed by designated heads of state and partner organisations in a document which will be known as “African Leaders Nairobi Declaration on Green Growth and Climate Finance Solutions.” This document will have the blessing of the African Union, and international partners for climate action.
Photo Courtesy: Standard
President Ruto who is also the Chairperson of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), explained that Nairobi is definitely the ideal location for the Summit and the domicile of The Nairobi Declaration.
“Nairobi is the home of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP). The only UN agency headquarters in the global south,…”Discussing matters environment, you are in the correct city and if you need any referencing, UNEP is right here.”Ruto said
Having graduated with a PHD in Philosophy in Plant Ecology from the University of Nairobi (UON), Kenya’s President is widely considered and renowned as a passionate and strategic leader in the global fight for restoration of ideal environmental conditions across the world. He announced his intentions to host the first ever ACS while addressing the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) last year, and introduced various proposals for financing global climate action when he met with President Emmanuel Macron, IMF Managing Director Christalina Georgieva, and World Bank President Ajay Banga and US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen during the Paris Summit.
President Ruto is actively spearheading the continental movement for Africa to join leadership in climate action. He has been relentless in his approach of including all stakeholders, literally every demographic segment of the world’s population in climate action. Calling on the youth to utilise resources available to them including labour, energy, and natural resources, President Ruto said that the future promised to the youth for active participation in leadership and positive change is now the present time.
“…I am here to say to you, the young people of Africa, that you have a crucial role to play today,” Ruto said while speaking at the African Youth Climate Assembly.
Having set the stage for crucial productive dialogue to find and agree on feasible solutions, all eyes are on ACS23 amidst high hopes for African solutions to the global threat of climate change and its effects.
The world eagerly awaits proposals for strategic exploration and exploitation of Africa’s high potential to mitigate adverse effects of carbon emissions through the naturally available carbon sinks, as well as a vibrant and skilled labour force.
If the ACS23 opening ceremony is anything to go by, planet earth’s environmental wellness is in safe hands.
We’ll be sure to follow proceedings of the ACS23 closely, as well as the Africa Climate Week, an exhibition event for climate action which is also happening at the KICC from today, 4th September 2023 up to 8th September 2023, and keep you updated.