- 3 years ago
President William Ruto received a standing ovation from members of the European Union Parliament. Ruto addressed a session of the EU Parliament in Strasbourg, France, where he emphasised on the importance of the EU-Kenya and EU-Africa cooperation. https://bit.ly/3MPEjRu
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00:00 Thank you very much.
00:08 Madam President, Members of the European Parliament, Ladies and Gentlemen,
00:15 I am truly honoured to stand before you today in this esteemed chamber.
00:21 Your invitation to address this Assembly symbolising the unity and diversity of Europe
00:29 is a privilege I hold in high regard.
00:33 I extend my heartfelt thanks to all of you, the distinguished representatives of 450 million
00:40 citizens across 27 Member States.
00:45 Madam President, I am particularly grateful for your gracious welcome, which reflects
00:50 the spirit of solidarity and cooperation that this Assembly embodies.
00:57 This eminent institution plays a critical role in shaping policies and decisions that
01:02 affect not only Europe but also its partners around the world, including Kenya.
01:09 Let me express my sincere gratitude for your support in the imminent conclusion of the
01:15 Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and Kenya.
01:21 This is a major leap forward in our trade and economic relationship.
01:25 The EU remains one of our most important trading allies, accounting for more than a fifth of
01:33 Kenya's global exports.
01:35 I must emphasise the impact of this agreement extends far beyond trade statistics.
01:43 It opens a world of opportunities, facilitating not only the exchange of goods but also ideas
01:51 and innovations.
01:53 It is a bridge between people and cultures and continents.
02:00 These are difficult times, no doubt.
02:03 We find ourselves amid a formidable storm of challenges, each not only complex in its
02:10 own way but also deeply interconnected.
02:15 New and renewed international conflict and wars, as witnessed most recently in Ukraine,
02:31 Israel and Gaza, the Sahel, the Sudan, Somalia, the DRC, creating widespread human suffering
02:42 and deepening divisions in a period where global collaboration and unity are of paramount
02:48 importance.
02:51 Democracy is under pressure in many parts of the world and multilateral institutions,
02:58 once they hope for international solidarity, are struggling to maintain broad-based acceptance,
03:05 relevance and effectiveness.
03:09 At the same time, progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals is unravelling.
03:15 Rising interest rates and looming debt distress make it much harder for countries to address
03:21 their own socio-economic challenges.
03:24 High costs of living, fiscal strain and migration are weakening international solidarity.
03:32 And most existentially, the world, as the UN Secretary-General reminded us recently,
03:39 is literally on fire.
03:42 The era of global boiling.
03:45 It used to be global warming.
03:48 Emphasising the severe and escalating impact of climate change.
03:55 The escalating severity of climate change is particularly acute and poignant in Africa,
04:00 a continent that despite its minimal contribution to global emissions, finds itself at the forefront
04:08 of environmental vulnerability.
04:12 In Africa, with less buffers to address climate change challenges, we feel the impact more
04:17 directly and more acutely.
04:21 Consider for example, the significant influence of high inflation rates on voting behaviours
04:28 in your region.
04:32 Now imagine the impact of a year-on-year food price inflation exceeding 10% in sub-Saharan
04:40 African countries where food makes up a third of household expenses.
04:48 These challenges are not isolated.
04:50 They are interconnected layers of a complex historical, economic and environmental narrative
04:57 that the continent endures.
05:01 Africa still carries the scars of colonialism which remain visible in the economic and institutional
05:08 dependencies that continue to hinder progress and perpetuate social and political fragility.
05:16 As acknowledging these issues is important, but focusing solely on them risks obscuring
05:24 the broader horizon and opportunity.
05:29 The adversarial north versus south dynamic has not served us well, denying us the opportunity
05:36 to leverage each other's strengths.
05:41 Similarly, the east versus west divide is untenable and counterproductive, working against
05:47 the interests of all of us.
05:50 Climate change has introduced a new dimension into this complex equation.
05:56 While it poses an existential threat, climate change has also emerged as a levelling force,
06:04 equalising us all in the face of a shared global challenge, transcending all divides
06:11 – north-south, east-west, developed or developing.
06:21 Collectively, therefore, we have the means to make progress.
06:29 Advanced technology, robust financial systems and dynamic markets, alongside pioneering
06:35 advantages in various sectors, are key assets of the global north.
06:41 Historically, the global south has played a vital role in supporting north's interstellarization
06:49 by providing raw materials and markets.
06:54 Now, as we navigate a new era of global interdependence, this needs to evolve into a reciprocal relationship,
07:04 a shift towards a more balanced and equitable global partnership, with a deliberate transfer
07:12 of technologies and intentional flow of capital to the global south.
07:18 And to this also means a seat at the table to look for solutions that work for all of
07:25 us in a spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding.
07:30 Thus, it is essential to reassess long-standing assumptions that sometimes are not true, rethink
07:46 perceived barriers and question default decisions.
07:51 We need to be bold and strategic, and also take the decisive step towards structural
08:00 shifts required to fulfill the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and keep global
08:07 warming at 1.5 degrees centigrade.
08:11 This was precisely the premise of the inaugural Africa Climate Summit that I hosted in Nairobi
08:17 in September.
08:19 The summit provided a platform not just to discuss the challenges we face, but to view
08:25 them through the lens of solutions and opportunities.
08:30 Therefore, I am hopeful because there exists a real opportunity, an opportunity to reach
08:37 sustainable, equitable prosperity for all of humanity.
08:42 An opportunity for the European Union to accelerate its race to net zero, decarbonize its industry,
08:49 and build the economy of the future.
08:54 And an opportunity for Africa to provide security and stability for all Africans while taking
09:00 its rightful place in the 21st century economy.
09:04 The Africa Climate Summit culminated in the Nairobi Declaration, which sets out the vision
09:09 and a pathway for Africa to be a vital part of the global solution to the existential
09:16 climate change challenge that we all face.
09:19 The Declaration captures the consensus of the African government leaders for climate
09:24 positive growth.
09:26 We have the world's biggest untapped renewable energy potential, the youngest and fastest
09:33 growing workforce and human capital, and relevant natural resources and assets.
09:39 60% for example of the world's best solar potential is in Africa, as well as 60% of
09:48 the remaining unused arable land in the world.
09:53 These assets create an inherent ability for Africa to produce green from the start, cost
10:00 competitive products and services, and to provide some of the highest quality carbon
10:06 removal services anywhere in the world.
10:10 When it comes to green economy, our reality is marked differently from that of Europe.
10:17 Over 600 million Africans are deprived of access to energy, a fundamental prerequisite
10:23 for dignified living and the provision of basic yet vital services like health and education.
10:31 Adding to this is the fact that almost one billion Africans lack access to clean cooking.
10:39 While the global narrative often emphasizes energy transition, for most of Africa it is
10:45 about energy growth, energy expansion and energy access.
10:52 It follows that how Africa takes on this challenge will matter a great deal both regionally and
10:58 globally.
10:59 It will matter whether Africa can transform into a green powerhouse that helps the world
11:04 decarbonize.
11:06 Equally important is the focus on providing education and opportunities for youth of Africa.
11:13 By investing in education and skills development in our young population, Africa can create
11:19 a vibrant, self-sustaining economy that offers its youth compelling reasons to build their
11:26 future at home in Africa.
11:30 This approach, underpinned by structured migration, can alleviate the pressure on regions like
11:36 Europe, which increasingly rely on economic migrants to maintain their standards of living.
11:45 Adopting this agenda is not just a choice, but a necessity.
11:49 The alternative, which neglects Africa's development and industrialization and fails
11:55 to invest in the young generation, is not a viable option.
12:03 Allow me to illustrate with a few tangible examples of how our strategies and interests
12:08 converge.
12:10 In Kenya, for example, we already have a 92% green grid.
12:15 Our challenge is not how to get that to 100% because we will.
12:19 Rather, our challenge is how to grow it.
12:23 From its current size of just 3 gigawatts, which is, I'm told, less than 25% of the
12:31 Paris metropolitan area for a country with five times as many people, we want to grow
12:37 our grid to 100 gigawatts by 2050 so that it can power green industrialization and create
12:46 prosperity through green growth.
12:50 In June this year, this very parliament adopted legislation to create the enabling environment
13:04 for the domestic production of 10 million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030 and the import
13:13 of a similar amount in order to green the EU's industry.
13:21 African countries are recognized as potential producers of this green hydrogen, and we welcome
13:28 the collaboration.
13:29 Kenya, for example, is developing a plant to produce green fertilizer, which will reduce
13:36 our import dependency, and we have an opportunity to export green hydrogen from our geothermal
13:42 resources to Europe.
13:45 Another EU-relevant example is bauxite.
13:49 Africa currently mines 25% of the world's bauxite, yet exports almost all of it in raw
13:55 material.
13:57 If Africa's renewable energy potential were deployed to smelt currently mined bauxite
14:03 into aluminium, we could save millions of tonnes of CO2 equivalent and generate hundreds
14:10 of thousands of jobs in our continent.
14:13 And aluminium is just one example of many.
14:18 Green steel is another.
14:24 Not to mention Africa's significant global deposits of critical minerals, or our potential
14:30 to produce sustainable fuels.
14:32 By tapping into these resources and employing green technologies, Africa can contribute
14:37 significantly to global decarbonization efforts while boosting its own economic development,
14:45 creating a win-win scenario for both the continent and the world.
14:50 While Africa, as a source of raw materials and market for finished products, contributed
14:55 to Europe's industrialization, there has been tremendous growth in technology and capital.
15:03 It is, ladies and gentlemen, I request, it is the turn for Europe to deploy their technologies
15:12 and capital to now unlock the huge green energy resources to drive green industrialization
15:19 using the natural resource endowments in the continent, global green products and services,
15:25 create jobs, and at the same time decarbonize Europe and global growth.
15:33 Indeed, I could devote much more time to unfolding the vast richness of our continent.
15:43 Yet the path to realizing Africa's full potential is paved with significant challenges.
15:50 Let's consider some sobering facts.
15:54 In the last two decades, global investments in renewable energy soared to an impressive
16:00 three trillion U.S. dollars, but only a fraction of this, 60 billion U.S. dollars, or just
16:07 2 percent, found its way to Africa, despite our enormous potential and urgent energy needs.
16:16 A critical obstacle in this journey is the prohibitive high cost of capital.
16:22 Private investors are demanding high premiums, in great part on perceived risks.
16:30 Consequently, we are burdened with borrowing costs at least five times higher than those
16:35 of advanced economies, creating a vicious cycle of debt.
16:41 This disparity not only hinders our progress, but also makes any meaningful development
16:46 financing unattainable.
16:50 This situation is indefensible, both morally and economically, and changing it is possible.
17:04 Changing it is possible, but it requires our collective will and resourcefulness.
17:11 Above all, it requires new forms of cooperation that are based on mutually beneficial strategies.
17:21 Europe has been an ally and a partner to Africa for many years, encompassing a broad spectrum
17:29 of initiatives that are very important for our continent, from economic cooperation that
17:35 fosters trade and investment, to the vital steps taken in energy and climate change through
17:42 initiatives like the Africa-EU Energy Partnership, and we are making very steady progress in
17:48 that direction.
17:50 Our collective efforts in peace and security, notably supported by the African Peace Facility,
17:57 have been influential in promoting stability across the continent.
18:01 In education and research, programs like Erasmus+ have opened new horizons for our youth, while
18:09 joint efforts in health have underscored the importance of robust health systems.
18:16 We are working together on migration management, focusing on issues such as combating human
18:21 trafficking and addressing the root cause of irregular migration.
18:27 And initiatives such as the Global Gateway have the possibility to open new avenues for
18:34 cooperation.
18:37 But we can, and we must do more.
18:41 Above all, we must remain alert to the risk of conflict, as tensions and disagreements
18:47 can escalate rapidly, with far-reaching and costly consequences.
18:52 The conflict in the heart of Europe, something unimaginable in the 21st century, underscores
19:00 this reality.
19:02 In the face of such challenges, the role of Kenya as a stable democracy and an anchor
19:08 state for peace and security in the region becomes increasingly significant.
19:14 As the Africa-EU mission in Somalia is concluding, Kenya as a frontline state will continue our
19:22 support and collaboration with the government in Somalia to fight against terrorism.
19:28 This ongoing commitment is crucial for maintaining regional stability, and we count on the EU
19:35 bilateral support for our efforts in this regard.
19:40 In another part of the world, the situation in Haiti highlights the global nature of security
19:46 challenges.
19:53 We will need some 5,000 men and women to address the challenge posed by armed gangs, estimated
19:59 to be around 9,000.
20:02 Currently, about eight countries, including Kenya, are willing to contribute their forces
20:08 to Haiti, but there is a clear need for assurance of international support.
20:14 The support from the EU will be instrumental in bolstering the initiative, providing the
20:19 necessary resources, including legitimacy.
20:25 Madam President, members of this great August House, fostering long-term peace and stability
20:32 goes hand in hand with building sustainable economic foundations.
20:36 And Africa is mapping out the road for green industrialization and prosperity, so that
20:42 it can play its rightful role in shaping a better future for all.
20:48 In this endeavor, the partnership with Europe and Africa must embody a reciprocal relationship
20:56 grounded in shared objectives and cooperative effort.
21:01 This synergy has the power to drive transformative results for both continents.
21:08 Concrete action steps, concrete actionable steps, are the key to realizing this mutually
21:16 beneficial vision.
21:18 Firstly, Africa's journey to become a green industrial powerhouse needs the right type
21:24 and amount of capital, especially in renewable energy and infrastructure.
21:29 Such investment could catapult Africa to a future where energy access is universal by
21:36 2030, simultaneously slashing emissions from energy generation in Africa by 80%.
21:43 Secondly, there is a necessary complement to capital, market access.
21:51 In fact, one of the biggest contributions that the EU can make to both addressing poverty
21:59 in Africa and achieving global climate goals is through its demand for green products and
22:06 services, including for carbon credits.
22:11 Africa wants to compete.
22:13 Crucially, we are not asking for further exemptions or a lower bar, but with high requirement
22:21 on quality and integrity.
22:27 Thirdly, the EU has a golden opportunity to leverage high-quality African carbon credits
22:39 that conserve and expand natural carbon sinks, reduce emissions, and remove atmospheric carbon.
22:48 These days, not a week goes without an exposé about bad carbon credits.
22:59 And while issues exist in the market, it is important to not lose sight of one of the
23:04 co-drivers.
23:06 The current price of 50 cents to a few dollars per ton in the voluntary market is simply
23:15 impossible to generate quality credits.
23:21 In the Nairobi Declaration, we committed to leaning forward in increasing the bar on quality
23:28 and integrity on carbon and other relevant effects of this project.
23:33 It will be that much easier to do so with a prospect of market access.
23:40 In Kenya, the draft carbon markets regulation is in the final stage of finalization.
23:47 And we believe that using this carbon credit instrument, we can create resources to not
23:56 only expand our growth, but also decarbonize global growth.
24:02 Fourthly, aligning European concessional and multilateral capital with Africa's climate
24:08 agenda is also an economic idea.
24:11 It is about facing down climate-incompatible funding to shift them towards climate action,
24:18 unlock much more concessional finance, and lower risks.
24:23 Here I invite the European Investment Bank to play a bigger role in Kenya and on the
24:29 continent with its expertise and resources.
24:37 And finally, African economies are constrained by lack of appropriate and sufficient finance
24:45 and investment.
24:46 As African countries, we pay five times as much for our debt as we would pay if the multilateral
24:55 development banks were appropriately capitalized.
24:59 Those seeking investment for private projects face high costs of capital and unhelpful,
25:06 simultaneous, driven by both real and perceived risk factors.
25:12 We face a chokehold on a vicious cycle.
25:17 As countries, our ability to invest consistently and strategically in basic infrastructure,
25:24 social services, and skills development is severely hampered.
25:30 And lack of that investment contributes to the high risk premiums and makes it harder
25:36 for private projects to become viable and attractive.
25:40 This is a very strong list of proposals to reform the international financial architecture.
25:48 We support this and more.
25:51 And we are in good company.
25:53 For example, the implementation of the Capital Adequacy Framework Review of the MDBs has
26:00 broad-based support across G7 and G20.
26:06 Yet our path to action is a bit too slow.
26:10 I call on all of us to accelerate and expand these measures, such as with the Tax Working
26:16 Group we are launching with France at the COP28 next month.
26:24 Lastly, Europe's experience in workforce development and risk-scaling offers invaluable
26:30 insights.
26:32 By learning from Europe's successful models in education and vocational training, we can
26:37 build capacity and equip our youth with the competencies required in an evolving global
26:43 economy.
26:45 Members, Europe is a significant investor and trade partner in Africa, a relationship
26:51 that has been fruitful over the years.
26:55 Our collaborative efforts have helped generate millions of jobs and enhance livelihoods across
27:00 the continent.
27:02 This partnership is not only a cornerstone of our past and present, but it is also crucial
27:08 for our future.
27:09 I extend a warm invitation to European companies, institutions and organisations to explore
27:17 the many opportunities our continent has to offer.
27:21 Join us in a collaborative endeavour to unearth and develop solutions that leverage our respective
27:28 strengths, drive innovation and benefit not only Africa but also contribute to global
27:35 progress.
27:37 Because our story does not stop with our two continents, this is a global story.
27:44 The demands of our time are great and full of uncertainty.
27:49 Addressing this effectively hinges on a robust commitment to multilateralism and international
27:56 cooperation.
27:57 However, it is increasingly clear that the institutions and structures established in
28:04 the 20th century are not fit for purpose anymore.
28:08 We must ensure they are equipped to address contemporary challenges and pave the way for
28:13 inclusion, equality and prosperity.
28:17 This calls for a fundamental redefinition of international cooperation.
28:23 We must move beyond arrangements that perpetuate cycles of indebtedness and dependence.
28:29 Our aim should be to bring about real, additional financing that does not merely escalate debt
28:36 burdens or facilitate their extraction of profits.
28:41 Cooperation that does not lock in developing countries in fossil fuel dependency but allows
28:47 them to advance alongside the rest of the world in the transition to sustainable energy.
28:54 Building partnerships that prioritize people and their well-being on a livable planet.
29:02 In today's interconnected world, where the fortunes of all nations are tightly woven
29:07 together, a new era of cooperation and collective action is necessary for a prosperous and peaceful
29:14 world.
29:16 In the face of threats that transcend borders and oceans, it is essential to adopt a clear-sighted
29:23 and unified approach to confront climate change, combat poverty and tackle conflict.
29:38 Madam President, Honourable Members, the annals of history are replete with instances where
29:44 collective action has achieved what no single nation could accomplish alone.
29:52 We are acutely aware that our decisions and actions will significantly shape the 21st
29:59 century.
30:00 Years from now, future generations will reflect on this era, scrutinizing the choices we make
30:08 in this moment.
30:09 Let it be said that we were visionary, not just preoccupied with the present but deeply
30:16 invested in the future.
30:19 Let our legacy be one of foresight, collaboration and solidarity.
30:25 Let us be guided by a deep commitment to ensuring a prosperous, equitable and sustainable world
30:35 for those who will follow our footsteps.
30:40 I thank you.
30:42 [Applause]
31:04 [Applause]
31:17 [Applause]
31:25 [Applause]