Ruto to Make Keynote Speech at COP27 in Egypt

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (right) bids his boss William Ruto bye as he flies to Ethiopia on Thursday, October 6, 2022.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (right) bids his boss William Ruto bye as he flies to Ethiopia on Thursday, October 6, 2022.
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President William Ruto will fly out of the country to Egypt on Sunday, November 6, to attend the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The head of state will lead the Kenyan delegation to attend the 27th edition of the conference in the city of Sharm el-Sheikh. 

According to a statement issued by State House spokesperson, Hussein Mohamed, President Ruto will address the convention as the Chair of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change on behalf of African states. 

Further, the spokesperson noted that President Ruto would elaborate on the effects of climate change in Africa amid the current drought facing parts of Kenya and the continent.  

Environment and Forestry CS Soipan Tuya (centre) during a meeting with UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell in Egypt on November 4, 2022.
Environment and Forestry CS Soipan Tuya (centre) during a meeting with UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell in Egypt on November 4, 2022.
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In addition, the President was expected to remind world leaders of the obligations made by the main accumulators of greenhouse gases.

"Ruto will make a strong case for Kenya and Africa, with African nations still bearing the brunt of the impacts of emissions from the developed world," the statement read in part. 

"He will also be outlining Kenya’s policies and strategies to tap into the global carbon market."

Mohamed further stated that Ruto's visit and address at the conference would be consistent with his development agenda. The president is on record stating his commitment to mitigating climate change and adapting to its effects. 

He argued that the effects of climate change pose an obstacle to Kenya's quest for social-economic transformation and development.

Among the commitments made by the Ruto administration on the environment include increasing Kenya's forest cover by 2031. 

"Climate change is a phenomenon complicating the roadmap towards socio-economic transformation and achievement of sustainable development goals in Kenya and Africa," Ruto stated during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). 

The conference commenced on November 1 and is expected to run till November 18. 

Environment and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya flew to Egypt to attend the conference on November 2. Tuya will receive the President in Egypt before joining his delegation. 

UNFCCC Executive Secretary poses for a photo with Environment and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya during the conference on climate change on November 3, 2022.
UNFCCC Executive Secretary poses for a photo with Environment and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya during the conference on climate change on November 3, 2022.
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