KEPSA, represented by Ms Emily Waita - Environment, Water and Natural Resources Sector Board Chair, joined other stakeholders during the Partners Day event organized by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands on 1st December 2022 at the Windsor Golf Club. The theme of the event was 'Enhanced Resilience against increasing Climatic Shocks – Moving from Commitment to Action in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs)'.

The Kingdom of the Netherlands Embassy's Head of Cooperation, Mr Joris van Bommel, introduced the strategic direction of the new partnership between Kenya and the Netherlands and expounded on their commitment to supporting enhanced resilience and adaptation in ASALs.

In her remarks during the panel discussion on the opportunities and challenges for the ASALs from a private sector perspective, Ms Emily Waita shared KEPSA's commitment to promoting coordinated and inclusive implementation of business climate change solutions. She also emphasized the importance of collaborating with the private sector in climate change solutions for the ASAL region as the sector can mobilize financial and technical resources needed for climate actions and awareness creation on the risks and opportunities arising from climate change. Ambassador Brouwer in his closing remarks highlighted the importance of building meaningful partnerships, learning from indigenous knowledge and co-creation.

Ms Wanjira Mathai from the Word Resources Institute shared about the impact of climate shocks on ASALs communities as well as regional perspectives and outcomes of the recently concluded COP27. The Green Generation Initiative Founder Ms Elizabeth Wathuti emphasized that youth voices should be heard and put to action and youth should be trusted with resources.