By Faridat Salifu
President William Ruto of Kenya has unveiled the implementation plan for the UN initiative on Building Climate Resilience for the Urban Poor (BCRUP) for Africa during COP28 in Dubai on Saturday, December 2, 2023.
During the launch, President Ruto stressed the urgency of action aligned with the SDGs’ motto of “Leaving No One Behind,” urging a transition from statements to implementation following the stock take of COP28.
The plan is designed to improve the living conditions and climate resilience capacity of the urban poor in 12 African countries, including Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, Rwanda, and Uganda.
The initiative targets a total urban population of 186 million, with 112 million residing in impoverished urban neighborhoods.
An investment of $5 billion over 10 years is required to enhance the climate resilience of these neighborhoods.
Kenya has committed to contributing to this effort and successfully lobbied the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to establish a regional readiness program, preparing implementable projects with the support of partners in the private, public, and philanthropic sectors.
For the governance of the BCRUP Initiative, the Government of Kenya has established the BCRUP Secretariat Steering Committee, co-chaired by the Cabinet Secretary of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, Kenya, and the Secretary-General of the United Cities and Local Government Africa (UCLG Africa).
The initiative will be executed in collaboration with esteemed partners, including the Africa Union Commission, Africa Designated Authorities Network (AFDAN), UN-Habitat, IGAD, Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Commonwealth Secretariat, Council of Governors, Pan Africa Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), Expo City Dubai, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), Slum Dwellers International, Habitat for Humanity, and Kenya Green Building Society, among others.
The commendation and pledges of support from various partners signal a promising start to this significant effort to enhance climate resilience for the urban poor in African countries.
