Adoption Of A New Historic Framework - Africa’s Sustainable Transport Transition

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H.E. President Kenyatta of Kenya and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Witness Adoption of New Plan to Set in Motion Africa’s Sustainable Transport Transition
Air Pollution, Sustainable Fuels, Road Safety to be addressed by Ministers of World’s Most Rapidly Urbanizing Continent

President of the Republic of Kenya, H.E Uhuru Kenyatta and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon witnessed Thursday the adoption of a new historic framework that will set in motion Africa’s sustainable transport transition, benefiting health, the environment and overall sustainable development across the continent.

Over 42 African countries, represented by ministers of transport, environment and other senior officials, participated in the Africa Sustainable Transport Forum (ASTF), organized by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Bank and UN-Habitat. The meeting, which is hosted by the Government of Kenya, aims to implement concrete actions to integrate sustainable transport into the region’s development and planning processes.

Globally, air pollution is killing 7 million people a year – four times the impact of HIV Aids and malaria together, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), whose studies estimate that per capita figures for deaths from outdoor air pollution in Africa are well below the world average— but the lack of sufficient data constitutes a barrier for the production of accurate estimates.

In Kenya alone, rapid urbanization is projected to double Nairobi’s car fleet in just six years, a situation that could put the health and well-being of thousands of Kenyans at risk. And while per capita CO₂ emissions remain low, the rapidly growing consumption of fossil fuels is quickly changing Kenya’s CO₂ trajectory as demand for energy and mobility expands.

At the same time, studies show that in Nairobi, for example, air pollution levels are at times seven times as high as the maximum WHO guidelines. Pollution in Nairobi doubles near the central business district, reflecting high pollution from vehicle exhaust

Speaking at the opening of the ministerial event, H.E Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya said, “This conference comes at a time when Africa is at a critical stage in implementing its development agenda 2063.”