Kenya’s president calls for a new funding model for Climate Action in Africa

Kenya’s President William Ruto looks on during a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the US-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington, DC, on December 15, 2022. (Photo by Andrew Harnik / POOL / AFP)

NAIROBI, Kenya - Kenyan President William Ruto has called on African leaders to rethink a new strategy for the funding of Climate Action within the continent.

Kenya’s head of state also pointed out that there was a need to review the current financing model of climate action to serve the intended purpose of fighting the effects of climate change.

“There is a need to review the current financial system to serve its purpose. I don’t think reform is the right word. We need a new architecture to respond to climate change,” said President Ruto.

He made the remarks on the sidelines of the 36th Ordinary Session of the African Union, Heads of States, and Government Summit in Addis Ababa.

President Ruto also held bilateral talks with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, where he also revealed that Kenya will be hosting a climate summit in September this year, to underline his government’s commitment to protecting the country from the adverse effects of global warming.

On his part, the UN boss said that time was ripe to shake the international financial and economic order.

“We are trying to get reforms in the international financial systems. The international multilateral system today doesn’t represent the current situation,” said Mr. Guterres.

He also lauded Kenya for playing a leading role in conflict resolution in the region.

Mr Guterres,“Kenya is the only country that is pushing South Sudan to a solution. What you are doing is fantastic. We will support your peace efforts in DRC.”

At the same time, President Ruto has called for political leadership in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to drive stability in the country.

He said the effort must be corroborated by countries neighboring DRC for peace and sustainability.

“Without these bold steps, our region will not be able to ride the negative effects.”

President Ruto said the resolution of the conflict has a long way to go and appealed for more support from regional bodies and the international community.

He noted that the resources will support comprehensive interventions to assist the growing humanitarian needs.

Present were Presidents João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço (Angola), Évariste Ndayishimiye (Burundi), Paul Kagame (Rwanda), Jessica Alupo (Vice President of Uganda), and Deng Dau (Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs – South Sudan).

Others were Felix Tshisekedi (Democratic Republic of Congo), Samia Suluhu (Tanzania), and Commissioner for African Union Commission Political Affairs, Peace and Security Ambassador Bankole Adeoye.

President Ruto strongly urged the convening of the Nairobi-IV session of the Inter-Congolese Consultations.

GAROWE ONLINE