Belém, Brazil — 8th November 2025
His Excellency Prof. Kithure Kindiki, EGH, Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya, conducted a high-level briefing with UN agencies regarding the Building Climate Resilience with the Urban Poor (BCRUP) initiative. This initiative is co-led by Kenya and Brazil, with technical support from UN-Habitat.
During the meeting, the Deputy President outlined Kenya’s priority agenda for BCRUP, emphasizing the need for greater coherence among UN agencies to enhance support for the urban poor. He highlighted existing government programs such as the Affordable Housing initiative and the Nairobi River Regeneration project, pointing out the importance of tackling urban poverty as part of Kenya’s sustainable development strategy.
UN-Habitat Executive Director H.E. Anacláudia Rossbach reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to BCRUP, despite challenges related to financing and capacity. UN Special Adviser H.E. Selwin Hart stressed the urgency of addressing climate risks facing urban areas and called for the integration of BCRUP into UNFCCC processes while engaging key financial institutions like the Global Climate Fund (GCF), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the Adaptation Fund.
Dr. Robert Sangori, BCRUP Coordinator, presented the program’s four pillars: resilient communities, financing mobilization, capacity building, and partnership. He noted that 20 African countries have been invited to participate in the implementation process.
The meeting concluded with an agreement on the next steps, which included strengthening UN coordination, integrating BCRUP outcomes into COP 30, developing a UNGA resolution, and convening a High-Level Climate Finance Meeting on 15th November 2025 at the World Green Economy Organization Pavilion.
