President William Ruto has been feted with the 2024 Presidential Green Industrialisation Investment Statesman of the Year Award.
The President has been awarded in recognition of his efforts towards climate action.
Ruto was feted during the extraordinary session of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), which he chaired on the sidelines of UNGA 79 in New York.
The CAHOSCC session resolved to advocate for a strong, unified stance calling for fair and effective climate financing that matches the urgency and magnitude of the climate crisis, addressing the priorities of Africa and other developing nations.
Ruto is the president and the chair of the CAHOSCC.
During the CAHOSCC meeting, Ruto said Africa’s agenda at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, should be to push for a new and equitable climate financing mechanism.
Ruto said Africa must push for an increase in global investment in energy transition from the current three per cent to effectively support climate adaptation.
The President said meaningful investments in Africa’s resources, whether in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, green transport, or nature-based solutions, are key to ensuring effective climate adaptation.
"These investments will enable low carbon, climate-resilient development, not only for Africa but also for the global community," he said.
He also called on Africa to continue advocating debt sustainability and reform of the international financial system to ensure climate justice.
"As climate-related shocks become more frequent and severe, coupled with high debt servicing, government spending on green resilience is constrained," he said.
He pointed out that high interest rates and credit downgrades also make refinancing costly.
This will not be the first time the President is awarded in the US.
In May, during his state visit to the US, Ruto was feted with the Outstanding Leaders Award.
The President was awarded by the American Chamber of Commerce during his state visit.
Ruto was handed the award by US Chamber of Commerce President Suzanne P. Clark during the Kenya-US Business Forum in Washington, D.C.
"In recognition of your work to promote and advance business-led solutions and your steadfast commitment to trade and investment initiatives to grow Kenya's economy, it is my honour to present to you the US Africa Business Center Outstanding Leaders Award," she said.
Ruto became the fourth-ever recipient of the US Africa Business Center Outstanding Leaders Award.
