Kenya has officially assumed the role of the 3rd Vice President on the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) Board, demonstrating a significant commitment to regional environmental cooperation and climate resilience. In this new leadership position, Kenya aims to enhance its influence in developing sustainable land and water management strategies in the Sahel-Saharan region.
The Principal Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Eng Festus Ng’eno, who represented Kenya at the 7th General Assembly of OSS, said Kenya is eager to collaborate with member states to promote collective climate action and ecosystem restoration in Africa.
OSS focuses on establishing and fostering partnerships to collectively address challenges related to water resources management. Additionally, the organization works towards implementing international agreements on land degradation, biodiversity, and climate change in Africa.
Africa is currently grappling with severe land degradation challenges caused by poor land management, population growth, urbanization, and climate change. A report by The Economics of Land Degradation in Africa Initiative reveals that 46% of Africa’s arable land is degraded, and if left unaddressed, more than half of Africa’s arable land will be unsuitable for food production by the year 2050.
Furthermore, desertification is a pressing issue affecting a substantial portion of the continent, with around 45% of Africa’s land area being impacted, making it crucial for policymakers and stakeholders to prioritize sustainable land management practices to combat these challenges and ensure food security and environmental sustainability for future generations.
During the assembly, the chairman role was taken by Egypt, with France, Libya, Benin, Mauritania as first, second, and fourth vice chairs respectively.
