Nairobi: Kenya and Congo have taken significant steps to fortify 43 flagship climate action projects, following a high-level dialogue between Dr. Deborah Barasa, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, and Hon. Arlette Soudan-Nonault, the Minister of Environment, Sustainable Development, and the Congo Basin for the Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville). The meeting concentrated on advancing the initiatives agreed upon in Brazzaville and integrating insights collected during COP 30.
According to Kenya News Agency, both ministries are actively incorporating key insights into their plans, finalizing technical and budgetary frameworks, and approving strategies for resource mobilization. These efforts aim to expedite the implementation of the projects, which focus on ecosystem preservation, climate resilience, and sustainable development. The collaboration seeks to ensure that international commitments produce tangible outcomes on the ground.
The ministers highlighted the global importance of preserving the Congo Basin, emphasizing its potential to create jobs, empower communities, and secure Africa’s environmental future. The discussions also covered the upcoming Congo Basin Heads of State Summit for the Climate Commission, which Kenya will host in Nairobi. Meanwhile, the ministerial segment of the summit will take place in Brazzaville.
The ministers also agreed on conducting a rapid study visit process to enhance proposals, reinforce shared ownership, and accelerate the delivery of the projects. Through this partnership, Kenya is poised to gain global climate leadership, increased access to climate finance, and numerous other benefits, including job creation, skills transfer, innovation, regional stability, and stronger South-South cooperation.
This dialogue underscores Kenya’s dedication to harnessing climate action for sustainable development and solidifying its role in regional leadership.