The United Nations(UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during his visit to Kenya on Wednesday, May 3, lauded President William Ruto for championing the use of clean energy in the country.
Speaking to the press, Guterres noted that the move would position Kenya at a global level in the use of renewable energy that had been adopted by many developed countries.
Further, he noted that other African countries had already made the transition to using clean energy including South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria.
“I commend President Ruto’s commitment to transition to 100 per cent clean energy by 2030.
“South Africa’s Just Transition Energy Partnership is also commendable as well as Egypt and Nigeria’s energy transition plans, and the AU’s ambitious Green Stimulus Programme,” Guterres stated.
To support the African countries that were making the transition to the use of clean energy, the UN SG rallied other developed nations to issue Ksh13 trillion every year to the countries including Kenya as support.
“These massive efforts need massive support. And so, developed countries must deliver on the 100-billion US dollars a year(Ksh13 trillion) promise to developing countries and the Loss and Damage Fund agreed in Sharm el-Sheikh,” he stated
At the same time, Guterres commended Ruto’s strong calls to the warring parties in Sudan to negotiate and agree on a ceasefire.
He added that the UN would continue to offer humanitarian support to the people of Sudan to cushion thousands who were in humanitarian catastrophe.
“And I echo President William Ruto’s strong calls for the parties to de-escalate tensions, return to the negotiating table, and agree on a lasting ceasefire.
“In the meantime, the United Nations is ready to deliver for the Sudanese people, under the leadership of my Special Representative, Volker Perthes,” he added.
On the other hand, Guterres called on financial reforms on the global level to ensure that African countries were represented and their financial needs were met.
As a solution, he called for a Sustainable Development Goals(SDG) stimulus package of at least Ksh68 trillion every year
“We need deep reforms to the global financial system so that Africa is represented at the highest level, and the needs of developing countries are at the heart of all policies and decisions.
“And I’ve called for an SDG Stimulus package of at least 500 billion US dollars per year to scale up affordable, long-term financing for developing countries," the SG announced.
Guterres was speaking in Nairobi when he held talks with President William Ruto at State House.
