( Nairobi, 18 July 2025) - In a historic gathering marking the 40th anniversary of the , African Heads of State, Ministers of Environment, and global partners convened in Nairobi under the auspices of Libya¡¯s presidency to adopt a (HLPD). This milestone declaration reaffirms Africa¡¯s collective resolve to tackle escalating environmental challenges ranging from climate change and biodiversity loss to pollution and land degradation while celebrating four decades of continental leadership in environmental governance.
The declaration set the tone for a transformative future rooted in sustainability, resilience, and inclusive development. More than 1,500 delegates, including environment ministers from all of Africa¡¯s 54 countries, civil society, private sector actors, youth, and development partners participated in the week-long conference.
¡°The African Ministerial Conference on the Environment must remain at the forefront of shaping the ¡®Africa We Want¡¯ through bold, visionary, and action-oriented leadership, Kenya is proud to walk this journey with you, advocating for environmental justice that recognises our unique development needs and circumstances. Let us not only speak with one voice but act with one resolve. The next forty years must be about delivery, not deliberation¡± he added.¡±
President Ruto had earlier in the week, on Wednesday, made an unscheduled visit to meet with delegates, reaffirming Kenya¡¯s commitment to environmental leadership and calling for greater African unity in tackling climate change.
