The inaugural Africa Climate Summit has kicked off in Nairobi, Kenya with at least 20 African heads of state expected to attend. The summit is being championed by Kenya’s president Dr. William Ruto. The event is also said to attract scores of climate change campaigners.
The theme of the summit is “Driving green growth and climate finance solutions for Africa and the world.” According to the United Nations data, the African continent only accounts for about 2-3% of the world’s carbon emissions but is the ‘most affected continent by global warming’.
The Kenyan president who has been very vocal about the increasingly deteriorating climate situation in Africa had earlier this year called for accountability from ‘rich nations’ who he says are largely responsible for the current state of affairs.
International dignitaries including the U,N secretary general Antonio Gutteres and John Kerry are expected to attend the summit which will be running from Monday through to Friday.
Soipan Tuya, Kenya’s environment minister says 18,500 participants have registered for the event and accredited for it. Around 30,000 delegates are also expected to attend the event.
