Kenya pushes for operationalization of Nairobi Declaration on climate change

In a high-level side meeting during COP29, delegates from African nations and international partners assessed the strides made on the Nairobi Declaration, first agreed upon in last year's climate summit in Nairobi.

Presided over by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who led Kenya’s delegation, along with the President of Togo Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé and Josepha Sako, chair of the AU’s Environment and Agriculture Committee, asked the global community to prioritize the implementation of the Nairobi Declaration. This call emphasized the need for substantial funding to support climate resilience projects across the African continent.

“We must mobilize the most needed climate finance from both the public and private sources in scale and with urgency, striking a balance between mitigation and adaptation to ensure economic and social resumes as well as planetary safety," said Mudavadi.

He said the replenishment of the African Development Fund (ADF) and the IDA development association is critical to finance resilient infrastructure, expand energy access and drive sustainable development across the continent.

“A robust ADF and IDA replenishment will enable energy access for over 300 million Africans, ensuring development in a climate-smart way. And so, we urge for reforms on the current global architecture including debt for climate swaps, climate specific funds and restructured lending terms to enable Africa to respond effectively to climatic emergencies”, added Mudavadi.  

The initiative gained support from Minister Adan Duale, Environment Cabinet secretary who revealed plans for Nairobi to host an African climate change coordination office.

In his remarks, Duale said under the leadership of President William Ruto the 2023 Africa Climate Summit, provided a platform for the continent to unite in articulating Africa’s climate priority in the Nairobi Leaders Declaration on climate change.

“I am pleased to inform you that Kenya is working closely with the AU Commission to urgently operationalize the ACS implementation roadmap. We have identified office space within the Ministry of Environment Climate Change and Forestry and we are in the process of setting up a secretariat office”, said Duale.

Also, the African Union Commission is currently developing governance instruments for the ACS secretariat, a communication strategy and a joint resource mobilization strategy.

The meeting also recommended that the Africa Climate Summit (ACS) be held biennially, positioning Nairobi as the host city for the 2025 event.

On his part, Josefa Sako, chair of the AU’s Environment and Agriculture Committee, alluded that the African Commission union established the climate finance unit, as part of the implementation of the green recovery action plan known as GRAP and in collaboration with other private and public financiers they have kicked first phase of the grant implementation.