Kenya is learning from other countries, sharing experiences and seeking collaborations to support the country’s National Landscapes and Ecosystem Restoration Strategy; underpinned by the 15bn national tree growing program by bridging its financing gap.

The Ministry of Environment is confident that the partnerships it is exploring with Kenya’s development partners led by the World Bank will boost the country’s ambitious ecosystem restoration agenda by unlocking financing from other spheres including the private sector and civil society.

At the same time, the Ministry is keen on ensuring that Kenya benefits from existing and future multilateral mechanisms and climate finance innovations such as Payment for Ecosystem Services, Results Based Financing, Green and Blue Bonds, Debt for and Nature Swaps.

Cabinet Secretary Hon. Soipan Tuya this evening hosted a side event on ‘unlocking finance, partnerships and synergy for landscapes and ecosystem restoration’ at the Kenya Pavilion on the margins of the ongoing United COP28 in Dubai, The UAE.

At this event, the discussions explored opportunities for up scaling the 15bn national tree growing program.

The 15bn National Tree Growing Program was launched by H.E President Ruto in December 2022, with the goal of reforestation and restoration of the country’s forest cover and rangelands.

The event was moderated by Environment and Climate Change Principal Secretary Eng. Festus Ng’eno, and addressed by representatives of a cross-section of Kenya’s development partners led by the World Bank’s Global Director for Environment, Natural Resources and the Ocean Ms. Valery Hickey.

“To enhance financing for climate action and green growth in Africa, collaboration between Governments, international organizations, and the private sector is crucial,” said PS Ng’eno in his address.