On the sidelines of COP28, President William Ruto concluded a groundbreaking agreement with Dr Patrick Verkooijen, the CEO of the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA), to establish the GCA Headquarters at the Kenya School of Government (KSG) in Nairobi, commencing in March 2024.

Aligned with efforts to accelerate climate change finance initiatives in Africa, the collaboration addresses the pressing need for increased financial resources on the continent.

Currently receiving only 20 per cent of global climate adaptation finance, Africa falls significantly short of the estimated $2.8 trillion required through 2030 to effectively tackle the climate crisis.

GCA recommends a nearly tenfold increase in climate adaptation funding to $100 billion annually, essential for fortifying infrastructure, enhancing climate early warning systems, and protecting agriculture.

Moses Kuria, Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Performance and Delivery Management, lauded the agreement as an "incredible milestone" and emphasized its timeliness for Africa.

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"Raising Green Finance for Climate Adaptation is of utmost urgency, especially in Africa. President Ruto has led from the front in this endeavour," he affirmed.

Furthermore, Kuria highlighted the transformative impact of constructing the GCA Headquarters at KSG.

"The construction will help transform KSG into a centre of knowledge and expertise on Climate Change and Adaptation matters, a key pillar in the ministry’s vision to reestablish KSG into a modern institute," Kuria stated.

Key highlights of the agreement include the establishment of the GCA Headquarters at KSG, serving as the Africa headquarters for the GCA, with the mandate to address climate change adaptation challenges across the continent.

Additionally, Mazingira House will house the Headquarters for Kenya's Ministry of Environment, Climate Change & Forestry.

Moreover, the agreement encompasses the construction of 40 High-End Green Luxury Living Residential Units and 50 Presidential Villas, managed by KSG, signaling a commitment to sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure.

In a collaborative move, GCA is set to co-host the Global Conference for Schools of Governments and Think Tanks on African Affairs at KSG in March 2024.

This groundbreaking conference will include partners such as AU-NEPAD, Afriexim Bank, Africa Development Bank, AAP, AfCFTA, Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Columbia University, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, coinciding with the inauguration of the GCA Headquarters.

This collective effort seeks to accelerate climate change finance and knowledge exchange, marking a transformative chapter in Africa's pursuit of climate resilience.