RAILA is the next AU chairman like it or not - See what he said yesterday that might change the mind of African leaders

Friday August 23, 2024 - Azimio Leader Raila Odinga made a compelling argument, calling on wealthy nations to fulfil their financial commitments to developing countries, especially from Africa.

Raila was speaking during the opening of the African Green Climate Finances National Designated Authorities Network (AFDAN) and Building Climate Resilience of the Urban Poor (BCRUP) meeting in Nairobi on Thursday, August 22.

Raila, who is eying the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship, emphasized the urgency for developed countries to honour their pledge of $100 billion (Ksh12.9 trillion) in climate finance to help developing nations combat the effects of climate change. 

He noted that, despite numerous commitments made at international conferences, these funds have yet to be fully disbursed, leaving vulnerable populations in Africa and other developing regions to bear the brunt of the climate crisis.

"Whereas climate finance has been here with us, from one conference of the parties to the other, partners are reminded to respect their commitments and provide the $100 billion promised to assist developing countries to cope with the challenge of climate change," Raila stated.

The continent, according to Raila, continues to grapple with severe challenges brought on by climate change, including disasters that disproportionately affect the poorest communities in both rural and urban areas. 

He stressed that these populations are the most vulnerable and require urgent financial support to build resilience against the adverse impacts of climate change.

The ODM leader also explained the difficulties African nations face in accessing available climate finance, citing well-established avenues such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Global Environment Facility (GEF), Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), Adaptation Fund (AF), and Climate Investment Funds (CIF). 

Despite the existence of these mechanisms, he pointed out that Africa currently accesses only 4% of the available funds, a figure he described as "way below impactful finance."

The Kenyan DAILY POST