Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, on Thursday hosted a bilateral meeting at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters with a delegation from the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) led by Country Representative Ms. Shaheen Nilofer.
The discussions focused on strengthening partnerships to address climate resilience, water access, and sustainable development across Kenya.
One of the key highlights of the meeting was the presentation of UNICEF’s proposed project, “Adaptation for Water Access and Resilience” (AWARE), aimed at improving livelihoods in communities around the Ewaso Nyiro River Basin.
The USD 20 million initiative will target Marsabit, Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera counties, with the goal of increasing access to water and bolstering climate resilience in these areas.
Another significant topic of conversation was the “Africa Solar Belt” program under China’s cooperation on climate change, which follows a USD 14 million commitment made during the inaugural Africa Climate Summit (ACS).
Cabinet Secretary @HonAdenDuale today held a bilateral meeting with UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) delegation led by Country Representative Ms. Shaheen Nilofer to discuss areas of partnership at the Ministry's Headquarters.1/4 pic.twitter.com/jwuRhtH4Pj
— Ministry of Environment, Climate Change & Forestry (@Environment_Ke) March 13, 2025
The initiative will be implemented in Kilifi and Tana River counties and is designed to provide sustainable clean energy, contributing to Kenya’s green growth pathway.
CS Duale praised UNICEF’s contributions, particularly in youth involvement at the ACS, the development of the Children’s Climate and Disaster Risk Model (CCDRM), and the inclusion of children and youth-focused objectives in Kenya’s National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP).
He expressed appreciation for the organization’s support in aligning these initiatives with Kenya’s climate change efforts.
The meeting also discussed an upcoming Memorandum of Understanding between Kenya and China, set to be formalized during the COP 30 conference.
The MoU will facilitate the implementation of projects piloted in Kenya and replicated across African nations to advance climate resilience and sustainable development.
Accompanying CS Duale at the meeting were Dr. Eng. Festus Ng’eno, Principal Secretary of the Environment and Climate Change Ministry, Mr. Mamo B. Mamo, Director General of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), and Mr. Lerenten Lelekoiten from the Climate Change Department. Suada Ibrahim of UNICEF was also in attendance.
This collaborative effort underscores Kenya’s ongoing commitment to tackling climate change while ensuring the well-being of its most vulnerable communities, particularly children and youth.
