Kenya is strengthening its collaboration with the United Kingdom to advance climate finance and forestry initiatives, following a high-level bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Belém, Brazil.
The meeting brought together Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Dr. Deborah Mlongo Barasa and the UK’s Minister for Climate, Katie White, reaffirming the two nations’ shared commitment to accelerating global climate action.
Dr. Barasa highlighted Kenya’s leadership in forest restoration, noting the country’s ambitious plan to plant 15 billion trees as part of a long-term strategy to safeguard ecosystems and enhance climate resilience.
She emphasised that the initiative extends beyond tree planting to include strengthening community-based nurseries, promoting fruit tree planting, expanding green jobs, and supporting sustainable livelihoods nationwide.
“Kenya continues to demonstrate how nations can restore landscapes and lead by example in forest regeneration,” Dr. Barasa said, underscoring the country’s determination to build resilient ecosystems for future generations.
Central to the discussion was the growing importance of climate financing. Dr. Barasa stressed that strong partnerships, especially Kenya’s collaboration with the United Kingdom, will be essential in mobilising the resources, policies, and innovations required to deliver impactful climate solutions for Kenya, Africa, and the global community.
The Cabinet Secretary was accompanied by George Tarus, Forest Development Secretary and Peter Odhengo, Head of Climate Finance and Green Economy, both of whom continue to play strategic roles in advancing Kenya’s environmental and climate finance agenda.
The meeting at the United Nations Climate Change Conference marks a renewed commitment by both countries to deepen cooperation in driving sustainable development, forest conservation and climate resilience at a critical moment for global climate negotiations.
