Remarks · 8 July 2025
His Excellency Ban Ki-moon, 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations and Honorary Chair of the Global Centre on Adaptation His Excellency Macky Sall, 4th President of the Republic of Senegal and Supervisory Chair of the Global Centre on Adaptation Prof. Patrick Verkooijen, President and CEO of the Global Centre on Adaptation Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Kenya, like many African countries, is experiencing the harsh realities of climate change. From prolonged droughts to devastating floods and unpredictable weather patterns, our communities and ecosystems are under increasing pressure.
It is, therefore, our responsibility to enhance our capacity to adapt. We must equip our institutions and workforce with the knowledge, tools, and partnerships required to respond effectively.
It is, therefore, my privilege and honour to join you this morning for the groundbreaking ceremony to establish the Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA) Dual Headquarters here at the Kenya School of Government.
This occasion symbolises a new chapter in Africa’s response to the escalating climate crisis. The establishment of this centre is timely, strategic, and visionary.
It will serve as a regional platform for policy dialogue, cuttingedge research, and capacity-building to accelerate climate adaptation at all levels of governance.
As a country, we remain deeply committed to the principles of sustainable development and climate resilience. This centre is also aligned with Kenya’s national priorities, including the Climate Change Act, the National Climate Change Action Plan, and our aspirations under Vision 2030.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Global Centre on Adaptation will be a hub for adaptation innovation, public service training, and policy support. It will bring together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and development actors to design and deliver practical, scalable solutions. Most importantly, it will help strengthen institutional resilience, particularly at the devolved levels, through specialised training and technical assistance.
Through this collaboration, we aim to place climate adaptation at the heart of public service training, performance management, and leadership development. This will ultimately support institutional reengineering for climate-responsive governance.
As a country, we reaffirm our long-term commitment to supporting this initiative. We shall work closely with the Global Centre on Adaptation to align national policies and facilitate inter-agency collaboration.
To our partners in government, I urge you to embrace the opportunities presented by this centre. Let us work together to embed climate resilience into our operational plans, policies, and development frameworks to strengthen climate-smart planning and service delivery.
To our development partners and the private sector, your expertise and support remain vital. We invite you to collaborate with the centre in scaling innovation, sharing knowledge, and creating solutions that serve not just Kenya but the region.
I wish to thank all the stakeholders who have contributed to the realisation of this historic milestone. Today, we plant a seed that will grow into a beacon of resilience, innovation, and excellence. Let this centre stand as a symbol of Kenya’s leadership in climate adaptation, and of our collective commitment to a sustainable and secure future for all. I thank you. ###