NAIROBI, April 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — African heads of state and government officials have said rich countries need to commit record contributions to help developing nations combat climate change.
At a meeting in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, for the World Bank’s International Development Association summit, Kenyan President William Ruto called on donors to pay at least $120bn into a specially created low-interest World Bank facility.
Citing Kenya’s own devastating floods and a severe drought affecting southern African countries, Ruto said there was an urgent need for collective action to ensure the planet’s survival.
Donor countries are due to pledge their contributions to the World Bank’s International Development Association at a conference in Japan in December.
The two-day summit aims to address development challenges on the continent and work towards creating prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable economies.
The IDA is the part of the World Bank that helps the world’s 75 poorest countries, 39 of which are in Africa.
Among presidents attending the summit include Andry Rajoelina (Madagascar), Julius Maada Bio (Sierra Leone), Lazarus Chakwera (Malawi), Samia Suluhu Hassan (Tanzania) and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia.
Others include Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania and Comoros’ Azali Assoumani. — NNN-AGENCIES
