Ruto: Green Transition ‘Irreversible’ as He Urges Global Action at UNEA-7

By : Mweru Mbugua 

President William Ruto has declared that the global shift toward a green economy is “irreversible,” calling on world leaders to move from commitments to concrete action in tackling climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution

Speaking at the 7th United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) in Gigiri, Nairobi, the President said the green transition represents a defining moment for both Africa and the world

“Green transition is irreversible; for Africa, climate change is not an abstract debate; it is a daily experience,” he said

Ruto cited the ongoing drought emergency affecting more than 20 counties, where over two million Kenyans face acute hunger and water shortages due to failed rains and climate-induced crop and livestock losses

He noted that global annual losses from natural disasters now stand at USD 150 billion — a burden that, for Africa, adds pressure to existing debt, weakened infrastructure, and limited capacity for climate-related dialogue

The President further underscored the role of emerging technologies in shaping the future, warning that innovation must align with environmental protection, fairness, and human dignity.

“Artificial intelligence, digital technologies, and electrification are reshaping how we produce, work, and trade,” Ruto said

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“If this transformation is not in line with environmental protection, equity, and human dignity, we risk building a new high-tech economy on an old foundation of extraction, exclusion, and pollution.”

He outlined Africa’s ambition for a modern, green, and digital economy anchored in renewable energy, innovation, and climate-conscious policies

Ruto emphasized that all investments in infrastructure, industry, and technology must enhance resilience, restore nature, and expand opportunities for communities

“Biodiversity loss is not abstract; it is real,” he said. “It is a reminder that when we commit, collaborate, and stay focused, we can reverse decline and restore life”

The President called on global leaders to act decisively, saying the window to secure a livable planet is rapidly narrowing