Ruto receives standing ovation after address to EU parliament

President William Ruto on Tuesday received a standing ovation from members of the European Union Parliament after his address.

Ruto addressed a session of the EU Parliament in Strasbourg, France, where he emphasised on the importance of the EU-Kenya and EU-Africa cooperation.

The President said such cooperation can be in areas of green transition and industrialisation.

He also talked about the climate-related emergency as the world approaches the COP28 Summit next week.

This is Ruto's first address to the EU parliament as a Head of State.

Ruto called for genuine partnerships that prioritise people and their well-being on a liveable planet. 

He said this can only be achieved if proper financing is done.

"We must move beyond arrangements that perpetuate cycles of indebtedness and dependence. Our aim should be to bring about real, additional financing that does not merely escalate debt burdens or facilitate the extraction of profits.

"Cooperation that does not lock in developing countries in fossil fuel dependency, but allows them to advance alongside the rest of the world in the transition to sustainable energy," he said.

The European Parliament is an important forum for political debate and decision-making at the EU level.

The Members of the European Parliament are directly elected by voters in all Member States to represent people’s interests with regard to EU law-making and to make sure other EU institutions are working democratically.