China, Africa team up for a greener future

The Chongqing Luhai International Communication Foundation hosted the China-Africa Ecological Civilization Exchange Forum on Wednesday at the Confucius Institute of the University of Nairobi, Kenya's oldest university.

The forum gathered senior officials, diplomats, environmentalists, and scholars to foster dialogue on ecological cooperation.

A photo exhibition titled "The City of Eagles," showcasing Chongqing Municipality in southwest China, was also displayed alongside the event.

A key highlight was the launch of a nature observation program designed to strengthen collaboration between Chinese and African youth in promoting environmental sustainability.

Njoroge Muchiri, deputy governor of the County Government of Nairobi, said the metropolis is keen to foster exchanges with China in its quest to reclaim green spaces and rivers.

He mentioned that during a recent trip to China, he observed remarkable conservation efforts along the Yangtze River, a vital artery for the nation.

"In collaboration with the Chinese government and Chinese investors, we are working on a major rehabilitation program for Nairobi rivers," Muchiri said. "With that, we shall be able to establish the ecosystems that used to exist."

Nevile Agesa, a project manager at the Mara Conservation Fund, a wildlife conservation organization based in southwestern Kenya, stated that partnerships with Chinese entities have strengthened the protection of habitats affected by the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss.

Hu Henghua, mayor of Chongqing Municipality, also spoke at the event, which aimed to enhance exchanges with Kenyan institutions and the public on the green and sustainability agenda.

"We stand ready to leverage this platform to collaborate with African partners in sharing expertise and best practices across urban sustainability, clean energy development, wildlife protection and cultural heritage restoration," Hu said.

Guo Haiyan, Chinese ambassador to Kenya, emphasized that Beijing attaches great importance to global ecological health, noting that cooperation with Kenya has boosted the protection of natural assets.

Chinese enterprises based in Kenya have embraced green practices in the implementation of flagship projects, such as the 480-kilometer Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway, she noted. 

Guo added that the "Partnership Action for Green Development," one of the 10 partnership actions announced at the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, reaffirms China's commitment to advancing green energy transition and biodiversity protection in Africa.

(Cover: Nairobi, Kenya. /VCG)