Environment, Climate Change and Forestry CS Soipan Tuya have said that Africa has always received a raw deal when it comes to the climate change conversation.
Speaking on Tuesday, Tuya said that in over 20 years, the climate talks have only resulted in promises but very little has been delivered.
She said this was happening, despite the continent contributing very little to climate change.
"Over 20 years of climate negotiation have yielded promises that have delivered very little for Africa. Instead the poor imagery of Africa as a victim, a poor continent keeps dominating the climate negotiations year in and year out," Tuya said.
"The fact that Africa has historically contributed little to the global emissions has remained an inconvenient truth yet receiving no reciprocity from the rest of the world."
The CS said the ongoing inaugural Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi now presents an opportunity for Africa to change the course of history.
She said through the summit, millions of young Africans are looking up to the leaders present to leave them with a visible promise, and to make them feel that there is a future where they have hope to get green jobs and live dignified lives and thrive.
Tuya said African countries have put their best foot forward in the fight against climate change but don't receive the same energy from countries leading in carbon emissions.
"Although African nations are making every available effort to deal with climate change, our economies are continuing to be weighed down by mounting debts," she said.
"As we speak, 31 out of 37 heavily indebted poor countries are in Africa."
