African Climate Summit Opens in Nairobi

The 2023 African Climate Summit opened on Monday, September 4. The Government of Kenya and the African Union, organizers of Africa’s first climate summit, will host leaders and heads of state from many African countries and more than 20,000 delegates from around the world. Issues related to climate change will be discussed in order to form a common position before the COP28 negotiations. Topics for discussion will include requests for funding of the continent by the international community and debt relief for African countries.

“Dear friends, this summit is an opportunity to put forth a bold and radically positive future for Africa,” said Kenyan President William Ruto. “We are here to represent a continent that connects markets and connects resource availability with demand, opening up a huge-scale economy, a continent that offers the economic foundation for a decarbonized world, a continent that thrives and creates a climate-proof future for all.”

Africa is facing some of the worst impacts of climate change, both economically and publicly. The air temperature is expected to rise by more than 1.5 degrees, and the situation will continue to worsen around the world. “However, Africa is ready to take the lead. The continent is mobilizing its collective resources, including mineral and energy, agricultural potential and intellectual capital, to contribute to global decarbonization, protect nature, and help solve the problems of climate change,” the summit’s policy document says. “Africa is involved and interested. Africa is the continent of the future with the youngest population and the fastest urbanization. A continent with great potential. Africa is full of investment opportunities; global capital can stimulate decarbonization, support adaptation, and protect our nature. Africa is ready to work with the rest of the world in a collective fight against climate change.”