By The Insight Post Uganda
PRESS RELEASE
The second day of the African Climate Summit in Nairobi, Kenya has come with good news.
John Kerry, the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, officially announced that the United States allocated $30 million to boost Climate-Resilient Agriculture Initiatives.
Out of this allocation, Kerry said, $20 million will support the Africa Adaptation Initiative’s Food Security Accelerator, which will invest in African agricultural businesses, empowering them to establish self-sustaining and climate-resilient supply chains.
In addition, $10 million will be directed toward the Climate Resilience and Adaptation Finance and Technology Transfer Facility, aimed at scaling up technologies that enhance adaptation, including critical elements like cold chain storage, crucial for maintaining the quality and safety of food from farm to table.
He further underscored the United States’ commitment to aiding Africa in realising its food security potential amidst the ongoing climate challenges.
Kerry acknowledged the disproportionate impact of climate change on Africa, even as the continent holds promise for agricultural growth. In response to this crisis, he emphasised the critical need for swift and effective adaptation measures.
He highlighted the dual benefits of adaptation, emphasising that it not only saves lives but also generates employment opportunities, making it a pragmatic approach to the issue at hand.
Kerry made it clear that infrastructure investments, such as roads and bridges, will only contribute to growth and poverty reduction if they can endure the increasingly severe climate impacts.
He noted that President Biden recognized this and launched the PREPARE initiative, aimed at assisting half a billion people in developing countries, particularly in Africa, to adapt to the most severe impacts of climate change within this decade.
US’s commitment to partnering with African nations in leading climate adaptation efforts was evident, and he pledged to work with Congress to secure an annual commitment of $3 billion for adaptation by 2024, marking the largest commitment in U.S. history.
Furthermore, Kerry mentioned collaborative efforts with partners on the Transitional Committee to create a comprehensive fund that will aid vulnerable developing nations in addressing loss and damage caused by climate change.
Kerry reiterated the United States’ unwavering commitment to assisting Africa in adapting to the profound impacts of climate change through the PREPARE program. His remarks reflected a determined effort to address the climate crisis while fostering stronger partnerships with African nations in the face of adversity.
END
English 