Kenya and France are strengthening their long-standing partnership in the fight against climate change.
A recent meeting between H.E. Arnaud Suquet, the French Ambassador to Kenya, and Cabinet Secretary Hon. Soipan Tuya, focused on existing collaborations and exploring new avenues for cooperation.
A key area of focus is the modernization of Kenya’s meteorological services. This upgrade aims to empower the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) to deliver timely and accurate weather forecasts and climate data.
This vital information is crucial for ensuring public safety, protecting property, and safeguarding the environment.
The modernization effort is particularly relevant in the face of increasingly extreme weather events and climate shifts. These changes have already caused significant damage and loss of life in Kenya.
By providing better weather prediction capabilities, the KMD can help communities prepare for and mitigate the impact of these events.
Building on a Strong Foundation
The Kenya-France partnership on climate change boasts a proven track record. One successful example is a French government-backed initiative for forest fire communication and reduction. This initiative highlights the effectiveness of their collaborative approach.
The meeting also underscored the urgency of scaling up global climate finance. Kenya and France are joining forces to advocate for a more robust and inclusive global climate financing framework. This framework aims to secure increased financial resources, including contributions from the private sector, to tackle climate challenges on a global scale.
The participation of Dr. Pacifica Ogolla, the Ministry’s Climate Change Director, virtually in the meeting signifies Kenya’s commitment to tackling climate change from a multi-faceted approach. The collaboration with France strengthens Kenya’s efforts and paves the way for innovative solutions to address the pressing climate crisis.
