The President of Kenya William Ruto delivers a speech to MEPs in the Parliament’s hemicycle in Strasbourg. Mr Ruto has served as his country’s president since September 2022. He previously held other high-level political posts, including that of Deputy President and several ministerial positions. This news item shows extracts from the arrival and welcome by Roberta METSOLA, EP President in the protocol entrace and from the address to the plenary.

statement

Strasbourg

plenary session

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

EU - Kenya (T)

RUTO, William (KE)

Formal sitting with William RUTO, President of Kenya: arrival and welcome by Roberta METSOLA, EP President; and extracts from the address to the plenary

Exterior shots, arrival of  William RUTO, President of Kenya is welcome by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Strasbourg, France, 21/11/2023, ( 2 shots)

Interior shots, Anthem of Kenya, William RUTO, President of Kenya and Roberta METSOLA, EP President,  Strasbourg, France, 21/11/2023, ( 9 shots)

Interior shots, European Anthem, William RUTO, President of Kenya and Roberta METSOLA, EP President,  Strasbourg, France, 21/11/2023, ( 6 shots)

Interior shots, hand shake with William RUTO, President of Kenya and Roberta METSOLA, EP President,  Strasbourg, France, 21/11/2023, ( 1 shot)

Interior shots, signature of the guests book by William RUTO, President of Kenya  with Roberta METSOLA, EP President,  Strasbourg, France, 21/11/2023, (  3 shots)

Interior shots, meeting with William RUTO, President of Kenya and Roberta METSOLA, EP President,  Strasbourg, France, 21/11/2023, ( 3 shots)

Interior shots,  chamber, formal sitting, arrival of William RUTO, President of Kenya and Roberta METSOLA, EP President,  Strasbourg, France, 21/11/2023,

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, President Ruto this House has closely followed your commitment towards our shared values and democratic principles. Your active engagement in strengthening multilateral institutions, your pivotal role in upholding the rules based international order in times of war, contributing to international burden sharing, whether by hosting refugees or by backing peacebuilding and police missions across the world. We have also seen Kenya's influential role in amplifying Africa's concerns on climate change The summit, organised recently in Nairobi, the first Africa Climate Summit, underlined our shared vision on international climate, diplomacy and decarbonisation.

SOUNDBITE (English), William RUTO, President of Kenya, The escalating severity of climate change is particularly acute and poignant in Africa, a continent that, despite its minimal contribution to global emissions, finds itself at the forefront of environmental vulnerability in Africa, with less buffers to address climate change challenges. We feel the impact more directly and more acutely. Consider, for example, the significant influence of high inflation rates on voting behaviours in your region, and I'm told you are going to elections shortly. Now imagine the impact of a year on year food price inflation exceeding 10% in sub-Saharan African countries, where foods makes up a third of household expenses

SOUNDBITE (English), William RUTO, President of Kenya, When it comes to green economy, our reality is marked differently from that of Europe. Over 600 million Africans are deprived of access to energy, a fundamental prerequisite for dignified living and the provision of basic yet vital services like health and education. Adding to this is the fact that almost 1 billion Africans lack access to clean cooking. While the global narrative often emphasises energy transition for most of Africa. It is about energy growth, energy expansion and energy access.

SOUNDBITE (English), William RUTO, President of Kenya, In fact, one of the biggest contributions that EU can make to both addressing poverty in Africa and achieving global climate goals is through its demand for green products and services, including full carbon credits. Africa wants to compete. Crucially, we are not asking for further exemptions or a lower bar, but with high requirement on quality and integrity.

SOUNDBITE (English), William RUTO, President of Kenya, In today's interconnected world, where the fortunes of all nations are tightly woven together, a new era of cooperation and collective action is necessary for a prosperous and peaceful world in the face of threats that transcend borders and oceans. It is essential to adopt a clear sighted and unified approach to confront climate change, combat poverty and tackle conflict.