Ruto heads off to Dubai to champion Africa’s climate agenda at COP28

Ruto heads off to Dubai to champion Africa’s climate agenda at COP28

Ruto heads off to Dubai to champion Africa’s climate agenda at COP28

Read this story aloud

Listen to the clean text version of this article

Ready
4 min listen
Audio reading is not supported on this browser.

As the Chair of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change, Ruto is set to deliver a statement on behalf of Africa, highlighting the continent’s priorities

President William Ruto will today depart for the United Arab Emirates to attend the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28).
State House on Thursday said the President will advocate for Kenya and Africa’s climate agenda.
As the Chair of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change, Ruto is set to deliver a statement on behalf of Africa, highlighting the continent’s priorities and building on the African Leaders Nairobi Declaration adopted at the inaugural Africa Climate Summit held in Nairobi in September this year.

More To Read

• The world has the science to transform food systems: The next frontier is scaling it
• A Super El Niño is coming: Five hard‑won lessons the world can learn from Africa
• DP Kindiki hails cooperatives as key to Kenya’s economic transformation
• Slum residents urged to adopt ‘localised solutions’ to mitigate climate change effects
• How the cocoa price crash is crushing West African farmers
• Nearly 60 people killed in Ivory Coast floods since May

“Participating from 30 November to 2 December 2023, the President alongside 100 other global leaders, will emphasise the need for tangible climate action urgently needed to correct the world’s current trajectory,” State House Spokesman Hussein Mohamed said.
The President will aim to establish Kenya and Africa as key hubs for green manufacturing, supporting the global decarbonisation agenda.
“To achieve this vision, he will advocate for comprehensive financial reforms, emphasizing the need to align international financial institutions, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), with Africa’s developmental context and climate goals,” Hussein said.

Latest Stories

• DCI arrests man accused of conning job seekers Sh8.6 million in fake KDF, NPS and PSC recruitment scam
• Wajir begins construction of Baitulmaal Level 4 Hospital to expand access to healthcare
• The world has the science to transform food systems: The next frontier is scaling it
• Nigeria demands probe after two citizens killed in South Africa amid rising xenophobia concerns

Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative
Ruto will also spearhead the launch of the Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative (AGII) – a collaboration between the COP28 Presidency (UAE), Kenya and other African States, with the ambitious goal of assisting African countries in developing significant green industries to drive economic growth, job creation, and trade.
AGII will implement the Nairobi Declaration, where African leaders committed to a green and inclusive growth path, harnessing the continent’s potential.

President William Ruto during the Africa Climate Summit held in Nairobi on 7 September 2023. (Photo: Courtesy)
“The objective is to hyper-scale green businesses and industries in Africa, promoting climate change mitigation and adaptation while fostering substantial economic growth and job creation on the continent,” State House said.
“The event will also feature the USD 4.5 billion Africa Green Investment initiative led by the UAE, designed to catalyze a transformative cycle of change through investments in green opportunities on the continent.”
He will also push for a new framework on climate finance – drawing on G20 outcomes, the Bridgetown Initiative, the Paris Summit for a New Financial Pact, and the Nairobi Declaration.
Climate finance framework
COP28 is expected to establish a new climate finance framework.
Ruto will present Africa’s perspective on international financial architecture reform and witness the signing of MOUs and investment deals for significant investments in Kenya’s green manufacturing, showcasing our potential as a green powerhouse in Africa.
Leveraging COP 28, Ruto aims to enhance collaboration, share best practices, and advance Africa and Kenya’s priorities on the global climate agenda.
Over 60,000 people are expected to attend COP28, including delegates from member states of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), industry leaders, youth activists, representatives of indigenous communities, journalists, and other stakeholders.
Almost eight years after the Paris Agreement and halfway through the 2030 Agenda, COP28 is seen as a timely opportunity to embark upon a new path towards effective climate action.
In 2020, individual countries came up with national climate action plans aimed at reducing national emissions and adapting to climate change impacts.
With the next round of these plans scheduled for 2025, the outcome of the global stocktake process could encourage countries to raise ambition and set new targets, exceeding existing policies and commitments.

Other Topics To Read

Top Stories Today

• Man arrested over Sh8.6 million fake KDF, police jobs scam
• Saba Saba organisers notify police of peaceful march to Parliament
• Wajir expands healthcare with new Baitulmaal Level 4 Hospital project
• Why scaling innovation is the missing link in global food security
• Abuja warns of diplomatic fallout after killing of Nigerians in South Africa
• Kenya’s Stephen Yiembe lands historic UEFA Super Cup officiating role

`;
}

return “;
}

function commentActionsMarkup(comment, canComment) {
const likeLabel = comment.liked_by_me ? ‘Liked’ : ‘Like’;
const likeCount = Number(comment.like_count || 0) > 0
? “
: ”;

const likeButton = canComment && comment.status === ‘approved’
? “
: “;

const replyButton = canComment && comment.status === ‘approved’
? “
: ”;

return `

`;
}

function commentMarkup(comment, canComment, isReply = false) {
const pendingBadge = comment.status && comment.status !== ‘approved’
? “
: ”;

const edited = comment.is_edited
? “
: ”;

const repliesHtml = Array.isArray(comment.replies) && comment.replies.length
? `

`
: “;

return `

`;
}

function replyFormMarkup(commentId) {
return `

`;
}

function setNotice(widget, message, type = ‘info’) {
const notice = widget.querySelector(‘[data-role=”notice”]’);
if (!notice) return;

if (!message) {
notice.hidden = true;
notice.textContent = ”;
notice.classList.remove(‘is-error’);
return;
}

notice.hidden = false;
notice.textContent = message;
notice.classList.toggle(‘is-error’, type === ‘error’);
}

function setCount(widget, total) {
const count = widget.querySelector(‘[data-role=”count”]’);
if (!count) return;

const num = Number(total || 0);
count.textContent = num === 1 ? ‘1 comment’ : `${num} comments`;
}

function openReplyBox(widget, commentId) {
widget.querySelectorAll(‘[data-role=”reply-box”]’).forEach(box => {
box.hidden = true;
box.innerHTML = ”;
});

const targetItem = widget.querySelector(`.ev-comments__item[data-comment-id=”${commentId}”]`);
if (!targetItem) return;

const replyBox = targetItem.querySelector(‘[data-role=”reply-box”]’);
if (!replyBox) return;

replyBox.hidden = false;
replyBox.innerHTML = replyFormMarkup(commentId);

const textarea = replyBox.querySelector(‘textarea’);
if (textarea) textarea.focus();
}

function closeReplyBox(container) {
if (!container) return;
container.hidden = true;
container.innerHTML = ”;
}

async function initCommentsWidget(widget) {
const state = {
articleId: Number(widget.dataset.articleId),
loadUrl: widget.dataset.loadUrl,
storeUrl: widget.dataset.storeUrl,
commentsBaseUrl: widget.dataset.commentsBaseUrl,
canComment: widget.dataset.canComment === ‘1’,
page: 1,
perPage: 10,
sort: ‘newest’,
total: 0,
hasMore: false,
busy: false
};

const list = widget.querySelector(‘[data-role=”list”]’);
const loading = widget.querySelector(‘[data-role=”loading”]’);
const empty = widget.querySelector(‘[data-role=”empty”]’);
const loadMoreBtn = widget.querySelector(‘[data-role=”load-more”]’);
const sortSelect = widget.querySelector(‘[data-role=”sort”]’);
const composerForm = widget.querySelector(‘[data-role=”composer-form”]’);

async function loadComments(reset = true) {
if (state.busy) return;

state.busy = true;
setNotice(widget, ”);
loading.hidden = false;

if (reset) {
state.page = 1;
list.innerHTML = ”;
empty.hidden = true;
}

try {
const url = new URL(state.loadUrl, window.location.origin);
url.searchParams.set(‘page’, state.page);
url.searchParams.set(‘per_page’, state.perPage);
url.searchParams.set(‘sort’, state.sort);

const response = await requestJson(url.toString(), {
method: ‘GET’,
headers: {
‘Accept’: ‘application/json’,
‘X-Requested-With’: ‘XMLHttpRequest’
}
});

const items = Array.isArray(response.data) ? response.data : [];
const meta = response.meta || {};

state.total = Number(meta.total || 0);
state.hasMore = !!meta.has_more;

setCount(widget, state.total);

if (reset) {
list.innerHTML = ”;
}

if (!items.length && reset) {
empty.hidden = false;
} else {
empty.hidden = true;
list.insertAdjacentHTML(
‘beforeend’,
items.map(item => commentMarkup(item, state.canComment, false)).join(”)
);
}

loadMoreBtn.hidden = !state.hasMore;
} catch (error) {
if (!list.children.length) {
empty.hidden = false;
empty.textContent = ‘Unable to load comments right now.’;
}
setNotice(widget, error.message || ‘Unable to load comments.’, ‘error’);
} finally {
loading.hidden = true;
state.busy = false;
}
}

async function submitTopLevelComment(form) {
const textarea = form.querySelector(‘textarea[name=”content”]’);
const button = form.querySelector(‘[data-role=”submit-comment”]’);

if (!textarea) return;

const content = textarea.value.trim();
if (!content) return;

const originalText = button ? button.textContent : ”;

try {
if (button) {
button.disabled = true;
button.textContent = ‘Posting…’;
}

const response = await requestJson(state.storeUrl, {
method: ‘POST’,
headers: buildJsonHeaders(),
body: JSON.stringify({
article_id: state.articleId,
content: content,
source_url: window.location.href
})
});

textarea.value = ”;

if (response?.data) {
list.insertAdjacentHTML(
‘afterbegin’,
commentMarkup(response.data, state.canComment, false)
);
empty.hidden = true;

if ((response.data.status || ”) === ‘approved’) {
state.total += 1;
setCount(widget, state.total);
}
}

setNotice(widget, response.message || ‘Comment posted successfully.’);
} catch (error) {
setNotice(widget, error.message || ‘Unable to post comment.’, ‘error’);
} finally {
if (button) {
button.disabled = false;
button.textContent = originalText || ‘Post comment’;
}
}
}

async function submitReply(form) {
const commentId = Number(form.dataset.commentId || 0);
const textarea = form.querySelector(‘textarea[name=”content”]’);
const button = form.querySelector(‘.ev-comments__reply-submit’);

if (!commentId || !textarea) return;

const content = textarea.value.trim();
if (!content) return;

const originalText = button ? button.textContent : ”;

try {
if (button) {
button.disabled = true;
button.textContent = ‘Posting…’;
}

const response = await requestJson(`${state.commentsBaseUrl}/${commentId}/reply`, {
method: ‘POST’,
headers: buildJsonHeaders(),
body: JSON.stringify({
article_id: state.articleId,
content: content,
source_url: window.location.href
})
});

if (response?.data) {
const parentItem = widget.querySelector(`.ev-comments__item[data-comment-id=”${commentId}”]`);
if (parentItem) {
const repliesWrap = parentItem.querySelector(‘.ev-comments__replies’);
if (repliesWrap) {
repliesWrap.insertAdjacentHTML(
‘beforeend’,
commentMarkup(response.data, state.canComment, true)
);
}
}
}

closeReplyBox(form.closest(‘[data-role=”reply-box”]’));
setNotice(widget, response.message || ‘Reply posted successfully.’);
} catch (error) {
setNotice(widget, error.message || ‘Unable to post reply.’, ‘error’);
} finally {
if (button) {
button.disabled = false;
button.textContent = originalText || ‘Post reply’;
}
}
}

async function toggleLike(button) {
const commentId = Number(button.dataset.commentId || 0);
if (!commentId) return;

const originalHtml = button.innerHTML;

try {
button.disabled = true;
button.innerHTML = ‘Working…’;

const response = await requestJson(`${state.commentsBaseUrl}/${commentId}/like`, {
method: ‘POST’,
headers: buildJsonHeaders(),
body: JSON.stringify({})
});

const liked = !!response?.data?.liked;
const likeCount = Number(response?.data?.like_count || 0);

button.classList.toggle(‘is-liked’, liked);
button.innerHTML = `${liked ? ‘Liked’ : ‘Like’} ${likeCount > 0 ? “ : ”}`;
} catch (error) {
button.innerHTML = originalHtml;
setNotice(widget, error.message || ‘Unable to update like.’, ‘error’);
} finally {
button.disabled = false;
}
}

if (composerForm) {
composerForm.addEventListener(‘submit’, function (e) {
e.preventDefault();
submitTopLevelComment(composerForm);
});
}

if (sortSelect) {
sortSelect.addEventListener(‘change’, function () {
state.sort = this.value || ‘newest’;
loadComments(true);
});
}

if (loadMoreBtn) {
loadMoreBtn.addEventListener(‘click’, function () {
if (state.busy || !state.hasMore) return;
state.page += 1;
loadComments(false);
});
}

widget.addEventListener(‘click’, function (e) {
const likeBtn = e.target.closest(‘[data-action=”toggle-like”]’);
if (likeBtn) {
e.preventDefault();
toggleLike(likeBtn);
return;
}

const replyBtn = e.target.closest(‘[data-action=”toggle-reply”]’);
if (replyBtn) {
e.preventDefault();
openReplyBox(widget, Number(replyBtn.dataset.commentId || 0));
return;
}

const cancelReplyBtn = e.target.closest(‘[data-action=”cancel-reply”]’);
if (cancelReplyBtn) {
e.preventDefault();
closeReplyBox(cancelReplyBtn.closest(‘[data-role=”reply-box”]’));
}
});

widget.addEventListener(‘submit’, function (e) {
const replyForm = e.target.closest(‘.ev-comments__reply-form’);
if (replyForm) {
e.preventDefault();
submitReply(replyForm);
}
});

loadComments(true);
}

document.addEventListener(‘DOMContentLoaded’, function () {
document.querySelectorAll(‘.ev-comments’).forEach(initCommentsWidget);
});
})();

Trending

Nigeria demands probe after two citizens killed in South Africa amid rising xenophobia concernsAfrica
|Rachael Mutabasi
|4 hours ago

Quiet revolution behind foldable smartphones and why they’re making a comebackTechnology
|Margaret Wanjiru
|17 hours ago

Stephen Yiembe makes history as first Kenyan referee appointed for UEFA Super CupFootball
|Erick Kariuki
|5 hours ago

DCI arrests man accused of conning job seekers Sh8.6 million in fake KDF, NPS and PSC recruitment scamNational
|Abdirahman Khalif
|3 hours ago

Lilian Odira targets personal best and Diamond League final after dream victory in EugeneAthletics
|Erick Kariuki
|7 hours ago

Clean mobility gains ground in trucks and buses, but fossil fuels still dominate at 94 per cent – reportClimate Change
|Alfred Onyango
|1 day ago

The world has the science to transform food systems: The next frontier is scaling itClimate Change
|The Conversation
|4 hours ago

Zamzam fires warning over ODM nomination as Mombasa succession politics intensifyPolitics
|Farhiya Hussein
|5 hours ago

Rising political violence draws condemnation from Mombasa religious leadersCoast
|Farhiya Hussein
|13 hours ago

A Super El Niño is coming: Five hard‑won lessons the world can learn from AfricaClimate Change
|The Conversation
|9 hours ago