The United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry, on Tuesday announced Ksh452 billion in funding for climate-related programmes in developing countries.
Kerry spoke at the inaugural Africa Climate Summit hosted by President William Ruto at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
He emphasised that US President Joe Biden was committed to addressing the effects of climate change affecting most African countries.
The diplomat acknowledged that developed nations were behind the effects of climate change hence the need to protect developing ones such as Kenya.
As part of the programme, Kerry revealed that the US government would avail Ksh437 billion (USD 3 billion) annually to help developing countries address the effects of climate change.
"The President has now launched the President Emergency Programme for Adaptation, and we are prepared to help at least 500 million people in developing countries, especially in Africa, to be able to adapt to the worst impacts of these countries.
On the other hand, he indicated that the Biden administration would also avail Ksh4.3 billion (USD20 million) for food security programmes.
The money also targets businesses that are addressing climate change challenges in the continent through agricultural programmes.
"Another second 10 million dollars (Ksh14 billion) will go to the climate resilient adaptation finance and technology transfer facility to scale technology so that we can advance technology such as cold chain storage which will maintain the quality and safety of food from farms to homes," he stated.
The diplomat praised Ruto for his bold initiative in championing countermeasures to address climate change and hosting the international event which aims to propose solutions to climate change.
"As I listened something was happening. This is different. Your leadership is palpable. What you said today sets a clear path for all of us," he stated.
Ruto, who opened the summit on September 4 stated that Africa has an extraordinary opportunity to abandon the unsustainable path of the past and build a new route that aligns economic inclusion and shared prosperity with the Paris Agreement, an international treaty on climate change that was adopted in 2015.
"Our low greenhouse gas emission must not relegate us to the fringes of the global climate agenda. Africa must step forward as the cornerstone around which compelling climate solutions are built," he highlighted on September 5.
Over 12 presidents and 30,000 international delegate are attending the KICC event, set to end on Wednesday, August 6.
