This archive report was first published on 28 October 2021.
Published on October 28, 2021
Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta will lead talks on Africa's crucial role in tackling the climate crisis at the United Nations climate conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, next week.
President Kenyatta will convene a side event, alongside Evgeny Lebedev, the British-Russian tycoon and owner of the Evening Standard and The Independent newspapers, to discuss the importance of protecting Africa's carbon-rich natural landscapes.
The event, staged by Kenya, The Independent, and the international conservation NGO Space for Giants, will also explore how private and public sector investment can help preserve crucial carbon sinks.
The sideline meeting will be held at the African Development Bank's COP26 pavilion on November 3 from 1 pm - 2.30 pm local time.
According to the organisers, the event will draw attention to the value of Africa's carbon sinks and launch a focused initiative to fast-track the development of their carbon offset sectors across the continent through the launch of national investment processes.
President Kenyatta is a member of the Giants Club, a forum that brings together political and private sector leaders to support nature conservation in Africa. The club comprises the presidents of Botswana, Gabon, Uganda, Mozambique, and Rwanda, as well as Lord Lebedev, the Giants Club's patron.
Lord Lebedev stated, 'COP26 must focus on an African solution to our global climate problem. We need to preserve Africa's carbon sinks if we are to stand a chance of saving our planet. Together, African governments, the private sector, and the global community can help to sustain Africa's natural habitat – and combat climate change.'
