Francis Atwoli, the Secretary General of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU), has praised President William Ruto for effectively organizing and carrying out the Africa Climate Summit, which recently concluded in Nairobi, Kenya.

Atwoli, who has previously been critical of President Ruto, commended his planning and successful execution of the summit and acknowledged the President's efforts to establish Nairobi as a significant hub for multilateral activities in Africa.

Having attended numerous sessions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland, for nearly three decades, Atwoli expressed pride in the transformative work done by President Ruto to redefine Nairobi's role in Africa.

The three-day summit, held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, saw the participation of more than 10 Heads of State and a large number of delegates.

Atwoli emphasized the historical importance of the Summit's declaration in addressing climate change issues in the region, stating that the "African Leaders Nairobi Declaration on Climate Change and Call to Action" would be remembered as a significant moment in history.

One key aspect of the declaration, announced after the Summit, called for decarbonization and the establishment of a fair multilateral financial framework to address the increasing costs and impacts of climate change, particularly in Africa.

The overarching theme of the Summit focused on achieving climate-positive growth and financial solutions for Africa and the global community. It also included discussions on Africa's assessments and contributions, the need for global levies and funding mechanisms, collaborative partnerships, roles, commitments, and pledges.

Moreover, the Summit provided a platform for regional leaders to shape, inform, and influence commitments, ultimately leading to the formulation of the Nairobi Declaration.