Africa Climate Summit: Over 30k Delegates To Converge In Nairobi, Boost Sustainable Action

• The Africa Climate Summit will start with the Opening Plenary of the Ministerial Segment of the Africa Climate Summit and Africa Climate Week
• African Union said this is an opportunity to showcase Africa's green growth potential and explore financial and development solutions for a climate-resilient Africa
• One of the Summit's outcomes is drawing a commitment to take to the global summit, including the upcoming COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Nairobi - Starting Monday, September 4, over 30,000 delegates will be gathering in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, for the inaugural Africa Climate Summit 2023 (ACS).

The event, which will start with the Opening Plenary of the Ministerial Segment of the Africa Climate Summit and Africa Climate Week, will focus on the theme, 'Driving Green Growth and Climate Finance Solutions for Africa and the World'.

According to the African Union (AU) statement, this is an opportunity to showcase Africa's green growth potential and explore financial and development solutions for a climate-resilient Africa.

What Africa Climate Summit means to Kenya

The event to be held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) will convene African leaders and one of the outcomes is drawing a commitment to take to the global summit, including the upcoming COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

During a Cabinet meeting held at the Kakamega State Lodge on Tuesday, August 29, and chaired by President William Ruto, the government observed that the event proves Kenya’s global leadership in Climate Change.

The Cabinet noted that the Africa Climate Summit had attracted immense global interest.

"The Summit will be graced by over two dozen Heads of State and Government, high-level representatives of development partners and international institutions, as well as subject experts; with the number of delegates expected to be about 30,000," a Cabinet dispatch reads in part.

The Cabinet meeting also observed that climate change continues to pose an existential threat to the future security and stability of the country; fueled by scarcity of pasture, water, and other natural resources.

"Consequently, Cabinet directed that going forward Climate Change shall form part of all national security strategic planning and programmes," the dispatch further reads.

Why Carbon offsetting is key agenda at ACS

TUKO.co.ke understands that Carbon offsetting is increasingly becoming a focal source of climate finance and will be a key discussion point at the summit.

Meanwhile, with a focus on addressing climate change vulnerabilities, the Summit aims to inform, frame, and influence commitments and outcomes leading to the drafting of the Nairobi Declaration.

Discussions will centre around climate change adaptation, resilience, and solutions, particularly on nature-based approaches, sustainable agriculture, and catastrophe risk reduction activities.

Special Climate Envoy for Kenya Ali Mohamed said climate change is no longer an issue of them versus us, it's no longer an issue between the developed and the developing countries, and it's no longer an issue between North and South, East or West.

"Climate is an issue that affects us all in different ways," Mohamed said ahead of the summit.

Cabinet Secretary, Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry Soipan Tuya said the event emphasises a collective effort to combat climate change.

According to the CS, Africa's resources, coupled with technology and financing, can pave the way for climate change solutions.

"For the first time, Africa is looking at climate change with new eyes. It is not a summit of who emits more than the other. We either salvage together or lose together," Tuya said during a recent media briefing ahead of the Summit.

How Raila faulted Ruto ahead of ACS

TUKO.co.ke previously reported that Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leader Raila Odinga said that it was ironic for Kenya to host the event when the president lifted the ban on logging in public forests.

"Even on matters in which we were absolutely clear and we were seen to be providing leadership, we are beginning to fumble and send mixed signals. Take the case of Climate Change. Kenya has been a clear leader here; investing in clean green growth and raising forest cover," Raila said.

Addressing the International Press Association of East Africa (IPAEA) in Nairobi on Tuesday, July 25, Raila wondered why the country is busy clearing its forests while at the same time hosting climate change negotiations and accusing the international community of failing to provide funds to mitigate Climate Change.