Africa Climate Summit on, Ruto calls for youth representation at AU

By Peter Ochieng

The three day Africa Climate Summit (ACS) which has attracted immense global interest is on at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Nairobi.

The Summit will conclude on Wednesday.

Speaking at the venue on Sunday during the Africa Youth Climate Assembly, president William Ruto challenged young people on the continent to assume their rightful position in the climate change conversation.

Ruto said plans are in top gear, to incorporate a youth representative into the African Union (AU).

“We will ensure that the next summit of the AU has youth, not as attendees but with a statement on what they think the outfit should do,” said Ruto.

According to the president, Africa is neither poor nor desperate but a wealthy continent that needs to properly profile and value its fortunes.

“Africa has huge renewable resources that is not yet captured in its asset books.”

He called youth energetic and creative, urging them to take charge and position themselves at the centre of driving the new positive narrative about Africa.

Ruto was accompanied by the President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) Akinwumi Adesina and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja among others. Dr Adesina said AfDB was committed to reducing the continent’s vulnerability to climate change.

“Our vision on climate change response is clear. We will keep accelerating green growth in Africa."

Ahead of the Summit, Azimio leader Raila Odinga called on president Ruto's administration to reverse the order of cutting grown trees in Kenyan forests.

He said the order will reverse gains made in environmental conservation.