Twenty-four heads of State from Africa and beyond will be attending the Africa Climate Summit set to start in Nairobi tomorrow.
Other high-level delegations expected to attend are the US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Pakistan President Arif Alvi, former president of Ireland Mary Robinson, first Education Minister of Mozambique; co-founder of The Elders Graca Machel, among top bosses of USAID.
Environment CS Soipan Tuya said plans to host the leaders have been finalised.
"We are waiting for the world in Nairobi. Over 20,000 delegates from 136 countries are expected," Ms Tuya said.
The Inaugural Africa Climate Summit (ACS) 2023 will be held under the theme "Driving Green Growth and Climate Finance Solutions for Africa and the World." It has been organised by the African Union Commission in collaboration with the host Kenya.
The summit aims to address critical climate issues and set a new agenda for Africa's sustainable development.
It serves as a platform for showcasing progress, sharing perspectives, and aligning priorities for global discussions, including events like the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), G20, World Bank Group (WBG) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings, and COP28.
The summit's objective is to create the African Leaders Nairobi Declaration on Green Growth and Climate Finance Solutions, initiate a Call to Action for African Union Member States and supporting partners, and foster partnerships with the rest of the world.
This highly anticipated transformative gathering will enable African countries to define detailed plans, shape associated tools and investments, advocate for international financial architecture reforms, exchange knowledge, and practical approaches, and renew Africa's vision for climate and development.
The CS said the summit will call for finance architecture, adding that many countries are not able to put money into adaptation and mitigation while at the same time developing.
It is estimated that over 20,000 delegates will attend both the Africa Climate Summit and the Africa Climate Week in the capital.
The summit has attracted high-level dignitaries and heads of international organisations and financial institutions, in addition to representatives from academia, researchers, civil society, women, and youth from across the world.
The ministry also received more than 550 applications for side events from across the world.
The summit emerged from the decision of the 36th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government, which took place in February 2023, mandating the African Union Commission to convene a summit on climate change. Additionally, it endorsed Kenya's offer to host this critical event.
The summit has been organised around five key thematic areas.
