President of Kenya William Ruto. Image from Public Domain

President William Ruto of Kenya is scheduled to address the Third African Parliamentarians Summit on Climate Policy and Equity, hosted by the Pan-African Parliament in Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa on Wednesday. On the background of lack of commitment demonstrated by developed countries, the two-day PAP summit aims to garner support for pro-poor, equitable, locally-led, and science-based decisions in the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and climate action.

Kenya was the first African country to come up with a comprehensive climate policy that saw the establishment of climate law and a Climate Authority between 2013 and 2015. The African Union’s Climate Change and Resilience Strategy (2022-2023) guides climate action and green recovery efforts. It advocates for clarifying the roles of various AU structures and agencies involved in climate policy and calls for enhanced collaboration between the African Group of Negotiators (AGN), the African Ministerial Conference on Environment (AMCEN), and the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC).

In April, President Ruto urged the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) to champion the concerns of Africans on various issues, including intra-African trade, climate change, democracy, and good governance.

During a meeting at State House Nairobi, President Ruto called upon the PAP to play a crucial role in the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He emphasized the potential for exponential economic growth through trade and investment offered by the AfCFTA, aligning with the African Union’s theme for 2023, the “Year of Acceleration of the African Continental Free Trade Area Implementation.”

President Ruto also highlighted the need for Africa to shift away from fossil fuels and embrace renewable energy sources. He acknowledged that the continent possesses vast untapped reserves of clean energy.

Kenya is represented in the Pan-African Parliament by MPs; Hon. Esther Passaris, Hon. Majimbo Kalasinga, Hon. Rahab Mukami, as well as Senators Hon. Danson Mungatana, and Hon. Prof Margaret Kamar.

 

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