Kenya: President Ruto Asserts Africa’s Climate Crisis Burden. Nairobi, Kenya — Kenya’s President William Ruto emphasized Africa’s plight as a victim of climate change during the seventh United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) in Nairobi. Addressing delegates, President Ruto highlighted the continent’s daily struggles with extreme weather events, which he argued are primarily caused by developed economies.
At the high — level plenary session, President Ruto described the impact of climate change as a stark reality for Africa, not an abstract concept. “From failed harvests to destructive floods, from intensifying conflicts worsened by resource scarcity, Africans are paying the price for the crisis they did not create, “he stated.
He cited the example of Jamaica, where Hurricane Melissa caused economic damage equivalent to the country’s entire GDP.
According to President Ruto, Africa is facing an escalating burden of property losses from natural disasters, now estimated at US $150 billion annually. This, he added, exacerbates existing challenges such as debt, infrastructure deficits, and limited fiscal space.
United Nations Secretary — General Antonio Guterres, speaking via video, called on countries to address the “environment geopolitical turbulence “and emphasized the importance of resilience in the face of accelerating climate change impacts.
Guterres highlighted that resilience is crucial for achieving peace, justice, and a stable future. President Ruto further emphasized the need for global transformation to align with environmental protection, equity, and human dignity.
He called for UNEA to define environmental guardrails for the new era of economic transformation.
Africa, he said envisions a future powered by renewable energy, innovation, and climate — proofed from the start.
The seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) is taking place from 8 to 12 December 2025 at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
The theme of UNEA — 7 is “Advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet.”Further details are expected as the assembly continues to address global environmental challenges.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 3*
