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Three members of staff of a company founded by first daughter Charlene Ruto are set to jet off to Baku, Azerbaijan for the ongoing climate conference.

In a statement on Monday, November 18, 2024, Charlene announced that the three members of staff including herself would be attending and speaking during this year’s climate conference in Baku, which brings together various leaders and influential individuals from around the world.

The staff from Charlene’s Smachs Foundation to head out to Baku are Nathan Ngetich who also serves as the foundation’s CEO, Ongaya Mulobi who holds a Master in Research and Public Policy and serves as the organisation’s programme lead and Peter Malale who is the climate action officer.

Smachs Foundation is one of the organisations founded by Charlene which is a non-profit that empowers young people to lead the fight against hunger and climate change in Kenya.

The foundation seeks to introduce a new age of youth-led and climate-smart agriculture to create a future where young people are equipped to actively contribute to food security and climate action through smart, mechanized agricultural practices in three major thematic areas.

The organisation is centred on sustainable development goals of ensuring zero hunger, good health and well-being, gender equality, climate action, life on land and strategic partnerships.

Charlene in Addis Ababa

The trip comes just one day after Charlene flew out of the country to headline a youth conference in Addis Ababa Ethiopia at the African Union headquarters.

The event which was organized by the African Union youth envoy with the support of the World Economic Forum (WEF) brought together 12 young people from across the continent and featured discussions on a sustainable future.

“Our patron Charlene Ruto along with other incredible young African leaders, will be speaking at Africa’s Panel of the Future today. The goal is to empower African youth to become changemakers and lead the way in crafting a more sustainable future,” a statement from Charlene’s startup said on Saturday, November 16, 2024, ahead of the forum.

Among the discussions left before the closure of the COP29 climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan on Thursday, November 21, 2024, are oceans and coastal zones and human urban settlements and their impact on climate change.

The other discussions lined up between Monday, November 18, 2024, and Thursday, November 21, 2024, are the impact of transport on climate sustainability, and the nature-positive use of land and water solutions for climate action.