President William Ruto has said that aligning global capital with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is crucial for climate-positive growth.
He was speaking when he co-chaired the United Nations General Assembly Sustainable Development Goals dialogue on Applying Science and Technology Innovation and data for transformative action alongside Slovenia President Nataša Pirc Musar.
Ruto called on the international community to mobilise and direct resources towards addressing impediments to attaining SDGs.
He noted that many African countries have been unable to implement SDG due to hindrances such as debt, inflation, climate shocks and conflicts.
“By enhancing Africa’s access to financing from global development capital, we will unlock the continent’s vast potential; its natural resources, arable land and vibrant human capital,” President Ruto said.
Prior to co-chairing the session with President Nataša, Ruto attended the United Nations General Assembly’s High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
In an earlier engagement, the President also had a breakfast meeting at the United Arab Emirates UAE Mission to the United Nations led by COP28 President and United Arab Emirates Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber.
In the meeting, Ruto called for reforms in the global financial architecture, especially debt restructuring and enhancement of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs).
He explained that this will empower nations in the global south to meaningfully participate in both climate action and development.
“By eradicating unjust discrimination, we will foster shared prosperity and pave the way for the achievement of our climate action objectives and a sustainable future,” he said.
Present at the meeting were Microsoft founder Bill Gates, Former Mayor of New York City Mike Bloomberg, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature Razan Al Mubarak.
CEO of Crescent Enterprises Badr Jafar, CEO of BlackRock Larry Fink, Zimbabwean businessman Strive Masiyiwa and Dr Mo Ibrahim were also present.
Ruto also participated in an agricultural forum dubbed Bridging the Gap: Financing Africa’s Agricultural Growth co-hosted by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Borge Brende, President of the World Economic Forum, US Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen and USAID administrator Samantha Power, among others, were present.
