UoN partners with GCA to accelerate Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP)

On 16th May 2022,

The visiting Chief Executive Officer for the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA), Prof. Patrick Verkooijen paid a courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor, University of Nairobi Professor Stephen Kiama. Various matters concerning strategic dialogue for the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP) and collaboration with the University of Nairobi in efforts towards galvanization of climate –resilient actions through triple win approach to address the impacts of climate change and the economy featured.

Discussions were also had about the outcome of the Glasgow Summit United Nations Climate Change conference late last year in which the Global community committed a major funding boost towards adaptation and acceleration.

The Chief Executive Officer highlighted the interest to collaborate with The University of Nairobi as AAAP seeks to operationalize Climate resilient actions.

“The AAAP has been given the seal of approval by the President of the Republic of Kenya, His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta to work with the University of Nairobi to achieve its objectives in Kenya” Said Prof. Verkooijen.

Through the collaboration, the University of Nairobi will together with Oxford University lead a National study on adaptation that will in turn be translated into an investment portfolio.

 Additionally the University of Nairobi will lead initiatives on Public-Private Partnership knowledge such as provision of upstream analytical support through its Faculty and students to support AAAP efforts.

The need to focus on disruptive technologies with a global appeal as well as enterprises at the forefront with solutions of adapting to climate change also featured.

“The University of Nairobi has the capacity in terms of human resource, students and infastructure to carry out the proposed initiatives” asserted the Vice-Chancellor.

Also representing the GCA were, Prof. Tonny Nyong - Senior Director Africa GCA, Edith Adera - Climate & Sustainability Lead Coordinator for AAAP, Nitin Jain - Global lead for infastructure and nature based solutions GCA, Senior Programme manager AAAP, Chinedu Moghalu - Senior Communications Specialist - GCA, Amandla Chibong - Senior Programmes officer of AAAP at GCA, Reka Gugan - Special Assistant to CEO.

The University of Nairobi was also represented by  Mr. Brian Ouma - Chief Operations Officer, The Associate Vice Chancellor, Research Innovation and Extension, Prof. Margaret Jesang Hutchison, Prof Daniel Olago - Chairman of the department of Earth and and Climate Sciences, Prof. Robert Oboko, Prof. Elisha Abade, Prof. Timothy Waema,  and Dr. Osano.