President Ruto calls on African leaders to unanimously stand for Equitable climate financing

New York, 

Wednesday, 25 September, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

President William Ruto has urged African leaders to unanimously raise their voice on equity on climate financing in the upcoming United Nations climate change conference. 

The conference which will be held in Baku later this year dubbed COP29, the president said that "Africa must present a compelling and unified voice for a new and equitable climate finance that matches the urgency and scale of the climate crisis — reflecting the needs of the continent and other developing economies." 

The head of state said this during the extraordinary meeting of the Committee of the African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change on the margins of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, New York.

The president noted that the new financing must match the urgency and scale of the climate crisis and adequately address the needs of Africa and other developing nations.

President Ruto said Africa must push for an increase in global investment in energy transition from the current 3% to effectively support climate adaptation.

President Ruto who is also the chair of CAHOSCC noted that today's meeting was a strategic step to prepare for a call for action during the November conference in Baku. 

The President said meaningful investments in Africa’s resources, whether in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, green transport or nature-based solutions, are key to ensuring effective climate adaptation.

“These investments will enable low carbon, climate-resilient development, not only for Africa but also for the global community,” he said.

The President also called on Africa to continue advocating debt sustainability and reform of the international financial system to ensure climate justice.

“As climate-related shocks become more frequent and severe, coupled with high debt servicing, government spending on green resilience is constrained,” he said.