17 Presidents, UN Boss To Land In Kenya For Special Meeting
Mutua furthermore noted that Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Environment from different African nations, along with high-ranking dignitaries, also confirmed that they will be participating in the event.
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Kenya will, in partnership with the African Union (AU), host 17 Heads of State who will fly into the country ahead of the inaugural Africa Climate Summit to be held between September 4 and 8 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua in a statement issued on Tuesday, August 15 revealed that the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, will also attend the important event.
Mutua furthermore noted that Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Environment from different African nations, along with high-ranking dignitaries, also confirmed that they will be participating in the event.
Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary (CS) Alfred Mutua speaking during the diplomatic briefing of the Africa Climate Summit on August 15, 2023. /ALFRED MUTUA
"The Summit also aims to position Africa in solidarity with the rest of the world for Global Climate Action. So far 17 Heads of State and Government, including the UN Secretary-General, Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Environment and high-ranking dignitaries have confirmed attendance and we expect many more confirmations in the remaining days to the conference.
"The diversity and breadth of participants is a clear testament that climate change is a universal challenge, which requires a collective and an all-inclusive approach to effectively address," stated Mutua in part.
The CS held an important diplomatic briefing regarding the ACS Summit, coming three weeks to its start as well as that of the Africa Climate Week.
He however conveyed apologies from his counterpart from Environment, Soipan Tuya, who was unable to attend the meeting due to other official engagements, even though she was present for the first briefing with the African Diplomatic Corps.
Mutua further noted that President William Ruto's government and the AU made tremendous progress in preparing for the successful hosting of the inaugural and historic ACS, with the government having put in place adequate measures for the success of the Summit.
"As co-hosts with the African Union, we are deeply honoured and proud to collaborate with all stakeholders, not only within the continent but globally to ensure the Summit achieves a successful outcome.
"The ACS will bring together leaders from Africa and beyond to design and catalyze actions and solutions for climate change in Africa by providing a platform to deliberate on the nexus between climate change, Africa’s development reality, and the need to push for increased investment in climate action globally, and specifically in Africa," Mutua lauded the significance of the event.
He added that at the heart of the Africa Climate Summit is an ambitious African Leaders Nairobi Declaration on Green Growth and Climate Finance Solutions, and for a Call to Action for African Union Member States and supporting partners to champion its delivery.
The declaration seeks to launch a renewed ambition for Africa and invite partnerships with the rest of the world, with the summit serving as a platform to position Africa in solidarity with the rest of the world for Global Climate Action, exchange perspectives and begin to converge on common priorities for global discussions including during the upcoming 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and COP28 and beyond.
"I am happy to inform that His Excellency the President, has been invited by Antonio Guterres, the United Nations Secretary-General, in his capacity as the chair of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), to present the outcome of the Africa Climate Summit at the high-level meeting on Climate Ambition Summit scheduled for 20th September 2023 in New York during the high-level week of the UN General Assembly," updated Mutua.
President Ruto and his fellow African leaders see the summit as an opportunity to ensure Africa aligns with the global effort for Climate Action.
The 17 Heads of State will also exchange perspectives and begin to converge on common priorities for global discussions including the upcoming 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), COP28 and future meetings.
President Ruto has been a strong advocate of the implementation of measures aimed at reducing the adverse effects of climate change in Africa.
His administration has remained committed to achieving its goal to plant 15 billion trees by 2032, a strategic initiative aimed at achieving forest restoration and mitigating the far-reaching consequences of climate change.
