Kenyan President William Samoi Ruto, also serving as the Chairperson of the Committee of African Heads of State and Governments, has called for global leaders to prioritize addressing the loss and damage resulting from climate change.
He made the call during the inaugural Africa Climate Summit in Kenya. The summit has brought together ministers and participants from all 54 African countries, fostering a sense of unity and shared responsibility.
This event marks a significant step in acknowledging the urgent need for action in the face of a changing climate that disproportionately affects African nations.
President Ruto emphasized that Africa’s contribution to global carbon emissions is relatively small, but the continent bears the brunt of climate change’s devastating impacts.
The call to address loss and damage recognizes that many African nations are already grappling with floods, droughts, famine, and other extreme weather events that threaten livelihoods and development.
President Ruto says rather than portraying Africa as a victim of climate change, the summit aims to position Africa to power the entire world sustainably and contribute to global net-zero emissions goals by 2050.
President Ruto emphasized that everyone has a stake in preserving the Earth’s ability to sustain life. He stressed the importance of envisioning a future characterized by equality, human security, and shared prosperity, highlighting the interconnectedness of nations and their environmental impact.
Approximately twenty presidents and heads of government have attended the summit, demonstrating the high level of commitment to addressing climate change in Africa.
These leaders recognized that climate disasters have the potential to set back years of development progress.
The Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Simon Steill, stressed the significance of balancing development with climate resilience.
He acknowledged that climate action comes with a price tag and called for a focus on climate finance for both mitigation and adaptation efforts.