President William Ruto of Kenya on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at COP28 in Dubai launched the implementation plan of the UN initiative on Building Climate Resilience for the Urban Poor (BCRUP) for Africa.
The plan aims to improve the living conditions and climate resilience capacity of poor urban folks in the following countries: Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d’lvoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, Rwanda and Uganda. According to UN statistics, the total urban population in these countries amounts at 186 million with 112 million living in poor urban neighborhoods.
The effort to be put for these neighborhoods to improve climate resilience requires an investment of $5 billion in 10 years. Kenya has committed to contribute to this effort and has managed with other countries to convince the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to demarcate a regional readiness programme and prepare implementable projects with the support of different partners in the private, public and philanthropic sectors.
For the governance of BCRUP Initiative, the Government of Kenya has put up the BCRUP secretariat steering committee, co-chaired by Cabinet Secretary, Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, Kenya and the Secretary General, United Cities and Local Government Africa (UCLG Africa).
The initiative will be implemented in collaboration with Africa Union Commission, Africa Designated Authorities Network (AFDAN), UN-Habitat, IGAD, Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Commonwealth Secretariat, Council of Governors, Pan Africa Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), Expo City Dubai, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), Slum Dwellers International, Habitat for Humanity, and Kenya Green Building Society, among others.
President Ruto called for action to be consistent with the SDGs motto of “Leaving No One behind”. He also insisted that the stock take of COP 28 be the kickoff moving from statements to implementation.
Different partners commended the BCRUP initiative and pledged support.
