The youth have been urged by President William Ruto to take their proper place in the discussion about climate change. This age group, according to him, is so influential that its voice can no longer be ignored. The Head of State noted that the African Union (AU) intended to include a youth representative.
The next AU summit will include youth, he promised, “not as attendees but with a statement on what they think the group should do.”
He emphasized the importance of appropriately valuing Africa’s carbon assets and called for the creation of a carbon market that adheres to international price norms.
We won’t accept peanuts, I repeat. Our carbon assets need to accurately reflect our assets and be valued, he said.
He noted that while Africa is neither poor nor in need, it is wealthy and needs to be properly profiled and valued.
“African asset books do not yet fully reflect the continent’s vast renewable resource base.”
He urged the young people, whom he described as vibrant and creative, to take the lead and put themselves in the center of the new African story.
He was giving a speech on Sunday at the Africa Youth Climate Assembly 2023 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi.
Along with others, he was accompanied by Akinwumi Adesina, president of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), Johnson Sakaja, governor of Nairobi, and Soipan Tuya, cabinet secretary for the environment.
The President urged Africa to look into agricultural prospects to boost value-added businesses and create jobs. He continued by saying that the global north should uphold its promises to take climate action. Dr. Adesina stated that the AfDB was dedicated to lowering the vulnerability of the continent to climate change.
“Our strategy for combating climate change is simple. We will continue to speed up green growth in Africa, he said.
Ms. Soipan urged the young people to develop creative green technology concepts.
