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President William Ruto is expected to deliver a statement on Africa’s priorities on behalf of Africa at the 28^th Conference of the Parties (COP28).

Ruto, who is the Chairperson of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC, will present a statement highlighting the continent’s priorities and building on the historic African Leaders Nairobi declaration adopted at the inaugural Africa Climate Summit held in September in Nairobi.

Effective partnership

“President Ruto will depart for the COP 28 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in the United Arab Emirates to advocate for Kenya and Africa’s climate agenda,” said State House Spokesperson, Hussein Mohamed, in a statement yesterday.

Building on the Nairobi declaration’s call for effective partnership, Mohamed said Ruto will also spearhead three key events at COP28.

 They include the launch of the Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative (AGII), a collaboration between the COP28 Presidency UAE, the Kenyan Government and other African States, with the ambitious goal of assisting African countries in developing significant green industries to drive economic growth, job creation and trade.

“AGII will implement the Nairobi declaration, where African leaders committed to a green and inclusive growth path, harnessing the continent’s potential. The objective is to hyper scale green businesses and industries in Africa, promoting climate change mitigation and adaptation, while fostering substantial economic growth and job creation on the continent,” said Mohamed.

Investment deals

The event is also expected to feature the USD4.5 billion Africa Green Investment initiative led by the UAE, designed to catalyse a transformative cycle of change through investments in green opportunities on the continent.

Another key event will be on a new framework on climate finance and drawing on G20 outcomes, the Bridgetown Initiative, the Paris Summit for a new financial pact and the Nairobi declaration, COP28 is expected to establish a new climate finance framework.

Ruto will present Africa’s perspective on international financial architecture reform.

He will also witness the signing of MoUs and investment deals for significant investments in Kenya’s green manufacturing, showcasing its potential as a green powerhouse in Africa.

“LeveragingCOP28, President Ruto aims to enhance collaboration, share the best practices and advance Africa and Kenya’s priorities on the global climate agenda,” said Mohamed.

Ruto, who will be participating alongside 100 global leaders, will also emphasise transformative action urgently needed to correct the world’s current trajectory.

Mohamed said Kenya and Africa possess vast natural resources, a growing workforce and untapped renewable energy potential, positioning them to contribute significantly to global climate action while pursuing sustainable development.

The President also seeks to establish Kenya and Africa as key hubs for green manufacturing and supporting the global de-carbonisation agenda.

He also advocates for comprehensive financial reforms and emphasises the need to align international financial institutions, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), with Africa’s developmental context and climate goals.

President Ruto has consistently emphasised the need for tangible climate action to confront the global existential crisis.

At COP27, held last year in Egypt, Ruto shifted the climate narrative from victimhood to opportunity.