Ruto heads off to Dubai to champion Africa's climate agenda at COP28

President William Ruto will today depart for the United Arab Emirates to attend the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28).

State House on Thursday said the President will advocate for Kenya and Africa's climate agenda.

As the Chair of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change, Ruto is set to deliver a statement on behalf of Africa, highlighting the continent's priorities and building on the African Leaders Nairobi Declaration adopted at the inaugural Africa Climate Summit held in Nairobi in September this year.

"Participating from 30 November to 2 December 2023, the President alongside 100 other global leaders, will emphasise the need for tangible climate action urgently needed to correct the world's current trajectory," State House Spokesman Hussein Mohamed said.

The President will aim to establish Kenya and Africa as key hubs for green manufacturing, supporting the global decarbonisation agenda.

“To achieve this vision, he will advocate for comprehensive financial reforms, emphasizing the need to align international financial institutions, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), with Africa's developmental context and climate goals,” Hussein said.

Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative

Ruto will also spearhead the launch of the Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative (AGII) - a collaboration between the COP28 Presidency (UAE), Kenya and other African States, with the ambitious goal of assisting African countries in developing significant green industries to drive economic growth, job creation, and trade.

AGII will implement the Nairobi Declaration, where African leaders committed to a green and inclusive growth path, harnessing the continent’s potential.

President William Ruto during the Africa Climate Summit held in Nairobi on 7 September 2023. (Photo: Courtesy)

“The objective is to hyper-scale green businesses and industries in Africa, promoting climate change mitigation and adaptation while fostering substantial economic growth and job creation on the continent,” State House said.

“The event will also feature the USD 4.5 billion Africa Green Investment initiative led by the UAE, designed to catalyze a transformative cycle of change through investments in green opportunities on the continent.”

He will also push for a new framework on climate finance - drawing on G20 outcomes, the Bridgetown Initiative, the Paris Summit for a New Financial Pact, and the Nairobi Declaration.

Climate finance framework

COP28 is expected to establish a new climate finance framework.

Ruto will present Africa's perspective on international financial architecture reform and witness the signing of MOUs and investment deals for significant investments in Kenya’s green manufacturing, showcasing our potential as a green powerhouse in Africa.

Leveraging COP 28, Ruto aims to enhance collaboration, share best practices, and advance Africa and Kenya's priorities on the global climate agenda.

Over 60,000 people are expected to attend COP28, including delegates from member states of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), industry leaders, youth activists, representatives of indigenous communities, journalists, and other stakeholders.

Almost eight years after the Paris Agreement and halfway through the 2030 Agenda, COP28 is seen as a timely opportunity to embark upon a new path towards effective climate action.

In 2020, individual countries came up with national climate action plans aimed at reducing national emissions and adapting to climate change impacts.

With the next round of these plans scheduled for 2025, the outcome of the global stocktake process could encourage countries to raise ambition and set new targets, exceeding existing policies and commitments.