The 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) has increasingly been framed as the “Implementation COP”, with a strong focus on translating political and financial commitments into practical action at the scale and pace required to address climate change.
Against this backdrop, Kenya’s approach to forest restoration, anchored in strong government coordination, political leadership and community participation, has received recognition at the global summit in Antalya, Turkey, demonstrating how national commitments can be translated into coordinated action and measurable results on the ground.
Speaking after attending the high-level leaders’ dialogue on Forests and Climate Action: The Contribution of Forests to Addressing Climate Change, Dr. Magrate Kaigongi, a Senior Scientist at the State Department for Forestry, highlighted Kenya’s progress in mobilising national support for forest restoration.
She attributed the progress to the institutionalisation of the 15 Billion Trees by 2032 Programme, which has brought together political leaders, opinion shapers, thought leaders and citizens from different sectors of society behind a shared national goal.
Kaigongi particularly recognised the coordination led by Principal Secretary, State Department for Forestry Gitonga Mugambi, whose leadership has strengthened a whole-of-government approach to forest restoration.
“Through the coordination and mobilisation led by Principal Secretary the State Department for Forestry, Gitonga Mugambi, Kenya is demonstrating how supporting collective leadership can turn forest restoration ambitions into measurable action on the…
