President William Ruto has called for a collective approach to tackle climate change during the ongoing 36th Ordinary Session of the African Union, Heads of States and Government Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
He said effective action will only be felt when the efforts of individual nations are converted to a collective endeavor.
He noted that there was need to review the current financing model of climate action to serve the intended purpose of fighting the effects of climate change.
“There is need to review the current financial system to serve its purpose. I don’t think reform is the right word. We need a new architecture to respond to climate change,” said President Ruto.
President Ruto made the remarks when he held bilateral talks with UN Secretary General António Guterres in Addis Ababa.
President Ruto said the continent must speak with one voice and champion the aspirations of its people.
“We must defend our people against injustice that motivates the plunder of Africa’s natural resources,” he explained.
He was speaking on Friday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during the second conference of the Heads of State and Government of the Climate Change Commission for the Sahel Region.
The Head of State noted that for Africa, mitigating the climate change, is a matter of human safety and security.
The President called for a “more just financial system” that will bring together climate action and development finance to Africa.
He said such a system will sustainably generate jobs, lead to sustainable post-disaster recovery and improved risk-sharing.