Experts seek inclusion of youths, children in climate action

President William Ruto and Heads of State during the Africa Climate Summit at KICC, Nairobi. [File, Standard]

Inclusion of the youth and children will take the centre-stage during next year's Africa Climate Summit (ACS).

The discussions are also expected to delve into progress made in the last one year on climate resilience and adaptation. 

This emerged on Tuesday in Nairobi during a plenary sessions on 2025 ACS at One Reflections Conference convened by the Ministry of Environment in collaboration with partners including Jacob's Ladder Africa (JLA).

Co-Founder and CEO of JLA Sellah Bogonko highlighted the significance of the summit as a pivotal moment for Africa’s climate action narrative.

Bogonko said, ACS provides Africa with an opportunity to own and lead the conversation on climate solutions tailored to the continent’s unique challenges.

“This summit is not just about raising awareness but about setting in motion concrete partnerships and solutions that will greatly impact the lives of African youth,” she said.

“If implemented, the outcomes of ACS will significantly change the trajectory of Africa,” she added.

The inaugural ACS was convened by President William Ruto in Nairobi in September 2023 where he rallied global leaders to sign Nairobi Declaration aimed at pushing for implementation of climate change mitigation measures.

The deliberations focused on urgent climate adaptation and resilience needs, centering around sustainable agriculture, climate-resilient urban infrastructure, and drought and climate change related disaster preparedness.

Critical issues discussed centred on rapid urbanisation and threats of climate change in Africa and the world.

Looking ahead to ACS anniversary in February 2025, the players proposed Africa prepares for ACS@One: Conversations on climate adaptation and resilience and youth inclusion.

Other partners involved include German Corporation for International Cooperation, Kenya (GIZ KE), the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), Pan African Climate Justice Alliance and various Civil Society Organisations.

The ACS that was held from November 4 to 5, 2023 provided youth leaders and children from across the country a platform to call for leaders accountability on climate action.

The organisers emphasized the importance of actively involving youth and children in climate policy and decision-making, a theme that was reinforces by the Nairobi Declaration.

And as the discussions at ACS continue to unfold, the stakeholders said the summit serves as a crucial reminder that Africa's climate solutions are not just the key to its own future, but to the planet’s survival and climate-conscious world.

Among the notable figures who led the discussions were Joseph Nguthiru, CEO of Hyapak & M-Situ and Youth Convening Lead, Jeniffer Kaberi, CEO of Mtoto News and Children Convening Lead, and Sharon Mutende, Policy Coordinator for the Children and Youth Major Group to the UNEP.