University of Eldoret hosted the 14th Africa Regional Centre Expertise (RCE) Meeting with the theme: “Role of RCE in Climate Action, Education for Sustainable Development and Sustainable Development Goals”. The meeting was in line with the RCE’s mandate of advancing climate action, Education for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals through collaborative efforts with local communities, Academia and governmental bodies fostering knowledge exchange, capacity building, and innovative solutions. The discussions highlighted these collaborative efforts. This meeting attracted attention of at least 285 attendances from both African countries and other continents with participants attending both in person and virtually from at least 20 countries including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Ethiopia, Somalia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Japan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Vietnam, Burkina Faso, Bahrain, Togo, and The Gambia.

The RCE North Rift had representatives across its coverage: Nandi, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, and Baringo counties which collaborate under the North Rift Economic Bloc (NOREB).

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Thomas Cheruiyot, in his remarks delivered by Prof. Nicholas Makau, welcomed the participants and reiterated the importance of RCE’s in empowering people within communities to lead better and more sustainable lives through creating positive social and environmental change. He applauded the efforts of RCE’s in creating diverse partnerships with various stakeholders and even indigenous communities with the sole purpose of enhancing strategic thinking and action on sustainability.

The Ag. Deputy Vice-Chancellor (PRE), Prof. Gelas Simiyu, underpinned the centrality of RCE’s in advancing the needed environmental sensitization for climate smart action and advancing the needed synergies in enhancing education sustainable development and sustainable development goals.

Dr. Akpezi Ogbuigwe, the Regional Advisor for Africa Regional RCE’s, called for the unification, inclusivity, demcracy and respect for human rights. She reiterated the need for RCE’s to integrate different forms of knowledge and technology sharing through building the needed capacity and inter-linkages for equitable and multilateral trade systems to address systemic issues as outlined in the SDG No. 17 for Climate Action, Education and Sustainable Development ans the Africa Aspiration of 2063.

The opening ceremony was attended by Dr. Loice Kipkiror, NEMA Board member who was representing the NEMA Director-General and Dr. Catherine Mbaisic. Dr. Mbaisic identified RCE as a pinnacle for Climate Action as they work with over 134 branches globally and anchored upon advancing environmental issues for sustainable development. In attendance was Dr. Josephat Miheso (Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development Assistant Director Teachers Education Department) and Dr. James Njogu (Ag. Secretary General / CEO of the Kenya National Commission to UNESCO). The participants were addressed virtually by His Majesty Chief Masongo Sone (RCE Buea, Cameroon), Ms. Jonghwi Park (Global RCE Service Centre from United Nations University - Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability, Japan), and Ms. Tokie Izaki (Deputy Director, Office of Environmental Education, Ministry of Environment, Japan).

During the event, in line with the call to increase the forest cover percentage, the participants planted 200 trees. This event was coordinated by Dr. Thomas Munyao, the Environmental Sustainability Committee Chairperson. The tree planting session was officiated by the Ag. Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nicholas Makau. He was accompanied by Prof. Samuel Lutta (Ag. Deputy Vice-Chancellor - ASA), Prof. Gelas Simiyu (Ag. Deputy Vice-Chancellor - PRE), Dr. Mark Kiptui (Dean, School of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management), prof. Nicholas Sudoi (Chair, RCE North Rift chapter) and members of the RCE conference organizing committee.