By Ronny Thiong’o
Environment Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale has departed for Abidjan, Ivory Coast, to represent Kenya at the 10th Special Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), scheduled for September 5th-6th, 2024.
The session is set to address the severe impact of desertification and land degradation on the African continent, elevating these critical issues from a more political angle.
As Africa grapples with the escalating threats of desertification, land degradation, and drought, the 10th Special Session of AMCEN aims to prioritize efforts to combat and mitigate these challenges.
Africa is severely impacted and highly vulnerable to desertification and land degradation. The upcoming AMCEN session will elevate these critical issues, ensuring they receive the urgent attention they require.
The conference in Abidjan will bring together African Environment Ministers to discuss and raise the political profile of the threats posed by land degradation, desertification, and drought.
This Special Session will further increase action to combat and mitigate these threats, which are critical to the sustainability and resilience of the African continent.
The Expert Segment of the session is expected to renew the commitment of member states, partners, and stakeholders in raising Africa’s ambitions, enhancing people’s resilience to the effects of drought, and increasing investments in adaptation strategies.
A draft declaration, decisions, and key messages will be formulated to guide efforts toward drought resilience and combating land degradation and desertification.
Kenya’s participation in the 10th Special Session of AMCEN underscores its commitment to addressing the pressing environmental challenges facing Kenya and the African continent at large.
With a focus on desertification, land degradation, and drought, the conference will play a crucial role in shaping the continent’s environmental policies and actions.