President Ruto delivered a passionate call for international cooperation to combat global warming during the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, emphasizing the interconnectedness of climate action and human development.
He highlighted the summit as a precursor to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) and urged African nations to address climate change with urgency and innovation.
President William Ruto emphasized the imperative of global collaboration in the battle against climate change in his address at the Africa Climate Summit held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi. He stressed that tackling climate change and fostering human development should not be approached in isolation or as adversarial pursuits.
President Ruto articulated, “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. Prosperity cannot and must not be pursued in a zero-sum, exclusive fashion, because the resulting injustice and inequity are the drivers of inequality, poverty, conflict and activities that threaten biodiversity and encourage pollution.”
Highlighting the interconnectedness of nations and their shared responsibility, he urged a collective response to the climate crisis. Ruto asserted, “We are all interconnected, and this existential moment provides us with a unique opportunity to reconnect with our shared humanity.”
The Africa Climate Summit, which commenced on Monday and extends until Wednesday, was characterized by President Ruto as a preparatory event leading up to this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), scheduled for November 30 to December 12 in Dubai. He described it as a platform for advancing African solutions, leveraging the continent’s resources, and capitalizing on African opportunities.
“This event is both Africa’s Climate Summit and a global pre-COP28 convention. Africa is meeting, and Africans are talking: the world is listening. We must use this opportunity to lead the world in a new direction towards a future that holds immense promise for both Africa and the entire world,” President Ruto asserted.
He underscored the present era as a “moment of existential urgency for all humanity” and urged African nations to confront climate change with a sense of urgency and shared responsibility.
“We have our ancestors’ permission to innovate a way to not only go fast but also together, provided we consult thoroughly, engage in good faith, collaborate effectively and proceed inclusively. This is an emergency, and we must undertake climate action and green growth with this understanding,” Ruto declared.
The Africa Climate Summit, themed “Driving Green Growth and Climate Finance Solutions for Africa and the World,” was jointly organized by the African Union Commission and the Kenyan government. It served as a platform for African nations to formulate concrete plans, secure relevant resources and investments, advocate for changes in the global financial system, share expertise and practical solutions, and update the vision for Africa’s development and climate response.
During the summit, the United Arab Emirates pledged $4.5 billion in clean energy investments in Africa. The three-day event witnessed the participation of heads of state, government officials, industry leaders, and global figures, including United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry.