NAIROBI, KENYA NOVEMBER 22 – President William Ruto has called for a reciprocal relationship between Europe and Africa in working towards combating climate change. While addressing the EU parliament today in Strasbourg, France, Ruto highlighted that the global South has played a vital role in supporting the North’s industrialization especially by providing raw materials.
President Ruto said there is need to shift towards a more balanced and equitable partnership. He said this can be achieved through deliberate transfer of technologies and intentional flow of capital to the global South.
“As we navigate a new era of global interdependence, this needs to evolve into a reciprocal relationship. A shift towards a more balanced and equitable global partnership, with the deliberate transfer of technologies and intentional flow of capital to the global South. And this also means a seat at the table to look for solutions that work for all of us, in a spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding,” said Ruto.
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The president affirmed that there is an opportunity to reach sustainable, equitable prosperity for all of humanity. He added that Africa has the biggest untapped renewable energy potential. According to him, sixty percentage of the world’s best solar potential is in Afica.
President Ruto praised Africa for its quality of carbon credits and called for an investment into the sector and provision of market access. According him, EU can make biggest contributions in addressing the poverty level in Africa and achieving global climate goals through its demand for green products and services including carbon credits. He noted that Africa wants to compete and will not want to be exempted.
“Africa wants to compete. Crucially, we are not asking for further exemptions or a lower bar – but with high requirements on quality and integrity,” Ruto said.
He said that the effects of climate change are strongly felt in Africa despite the continent’s minimal contribution to global emissions. He further added that the issue of climate change now calls for everyone’s fair participation regardless of who they are.
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