Ruto asks EU to tap Africa's potential in climate change projects

President William Ruto in an address to the European Union Parliament, Strasbourg, France. [PCS]

President William Ruto has called for stronger cooperation between the European Union (EU) and African countries.

Speaking in Strasbourg France in a session with the EU Parliament, the Head of State urged for stronger cooperation in the fields of climate change and industrialisation.

"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 means a seat at the table to look for solutions that work for all of us, in the spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding," said the President.

While calling on the EU to work together with African countries on migration management by addressing the root causes of irregular migration, Ruto noted that fiscal strain and migration challenges and rising cost of living were some of the challenges weakening international solidarity.

"It is increasingly clear that the international political structures established in the 20th Century are no longer fit for purpose," the President said while calling for a fundamental redefinition of international cooperation that would move beyond arrangements that perpetuate cycles of indebtedness and dependence.

The President also talked about the climate-related emergency as the world approaches the COP28 summit next week.

He noted that there existed an opportunity to reach sustainable, equitable prosperity for all humanity where the European Union accelerated it's race to net zero, decarbonises it's industry and building the economy of the future while the African continent provide security and stability for all Africans.

"We have the world's biggest untapped renewable energy potential, the youngest and fastest growing workforce and relevant natural resources and assets. 60 per cent of the world's best solar potential is in Africa as well as over 60 per cent of the remaining unused potential is in Africa. These assets create an inherent ability for Africa to produce green-from-the-start-competitive products and services and to provide some of the highest quality carbon removal services in the world," he said.

He suggested that one of the biggest contributions the EU could make to both addressing poverty in Africa and achieving global climate goals was through its demand for green products.

He said the severity of climate change is acute in Africa describing it as a continent that despite its minimal contribution to the global emissions, finds itself at the forefront of environmental vulnerability.

At the same time, Ruto appealed to the EU to support his administration's bid to deploy police officers to Haiti to legitimatise the effort.

Kenya's mission to deploy the police officers is based on a United Nations resolutions where the country is among the eight countries that have nodded to the move to deploy men in uniform to Haiti.

"Currently, about eight countries, including Kenya, are willing to contribute their forces to Haiti, but there is a clear need for assurance of international support
The support by EU will be instrumental in bolstering the initiative providing the necesary resources and legitimacy," said the President.