NAIROBI– Kenya’s Environment Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Aden Duale, today hosted the Netherlands Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Henk Jan Bakker, at the Ministry’s Headquarters in a courtesy visit aimed at strengthening the growing partnership between the two nations.
The discussions centered on enhancing collaboration, particularly in areas of sustainable development, agriculture, and climate action.
One of the key topics was capacity building in sustainable forest management, which is vital for Kenya’s ambitious 15 billion tree-growing flagship project.
The collaboration aims to restore and protect the country’s forests while contributing to environmental conservation and addressing climate change.
Additionally, the meeting highlighted the Financing Locally Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) initiative, a Kenyan government project supported by the World Bank and other donors. FLLoCA seeks to build resilience against climate change by empowering local communities with the resources to implement climate solutions.
The meeting also touched on the upcoming state visit of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, scheduled between March 18th and 20th, 2025. During the visit, the royal couple will plant 2,000 trees in Thogoto Forest alongside local communities, reinforcing the shared commitment to environmental conservation.
Hosted Netherlands Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Henk Jan Bakker, for bilateral talks at the Ministry's headquarters.
Our discussions focused on strengthening collaboration in sustainable forest management, a key pillar in advancing Kenya's 15 Billion Tree Growing initiative.
We… pic.twitter.com/bw4fBuZ75a
— Hon. Aden Duale, EGH (@HonAdenDuale) March 3, 2025
CS Duale further briefed Ambassador Bakker on Kenya’s newly amended Climate Change Act and the country’s evolving carbon markets. They also discussed the second Africa Climate Summit, set to take place in September 2025, as an essential platform for advancing global climate action.
The meeting was attended by key officials, including Mr. John Elungata, Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, Mr. Evans Mutari, Secretary for Forestry, and Mr. Alex Lemarkoko, Chief Conservator of Forests.
Their discussions underscored the importance of continued partnership between Kenya and the Netherlands in addressing the pressing challenges of climate change and promoting sustainable economic growth.
