US trade delegation visit Pacja Secretariat

PACJA held Bilateral conversations with US congressional delegation U.S.- Kenya Strategic Investment Partnership and trade relations

Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) held bilateral conversation with the U.S. Congress delegation who are on working visit in Nairobi Kenya. Consultations took place on April 19, 2023 at PACJA Offices.

The team which supports the U.S. Senate Finance Committee was interested in meeting with PACJA as key organization working on climate justice issues as the team was keen on nexus issues between trade and climate justice.

The US congressional delegation is steering consultations with key partners in Kenya including the Civil society organizations in the process of Negotiating Round of the USA – Kenya Strategic Investment Partnership to discuss trade relations as well as opportunities for economic collaboration.

Among responsibilities of the US Senate Finance Committee include   overseeing taxation and other revenue measures generally, and those relating to the insular possessions; bonded debt of the United States; customs, collection districts, and ports of entry and delivery; reciprocal trade agreements; and others.

Speaking to the Delegation, Dr. Mithika Mwenda, the Executive Director of PACJA, expressed gratitude to the Delegation for having considered preliminary consultations with civil society, and PACJA as a lead climate justice organization in the continent.

He said that looking at evolution of climate change trend, the climate change has become the geopolitical issues that needs proper considerations and discussions at all levels since it is affecting community at cross-sectoral level. Dr. Mithika pointed to the need for much more expanded consultations with communities at the frontline of climate crisis while encouraging disclosure of more material elements of the nature and scope of trade partnership.

Dr. Mithika said the civil society opinion has been left out in trade consultations and negotiations with government while the implementation leaves economic burden, responsibilities and impacts to citizens. He mentioned that the economic and development competition have attracted foreign investments which are compromising environment and suppress the reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions commitment by countries.

“Such Trade Agreement and negotiations should consider just transition, transfer of technologies for job creation for the unemployed youth with direct involvement of communities”, opined Dr. Mithika.

Mr. Philip Kilonzo, the Head of Policy, Advocacy and Communications asserted that trade imperatives have direct link to climate change and so are response measures to climate change that are private sector driven. It is high time to recalibrate unjust trade policies that that continue to worsen climate change impacts and its response measures.

Ms. Nomcebisi Ndlovu who led the U.S. Congressional delegation suggested that issues raised by the PACJA will be taken up for further discussions. Parts of points shared for consideration during the trade negotiations include agriculture, women and youth, just transition, and others.