President William Ruto has strongly disagreed with U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest attack on global climate policies. Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Trump described climate change as “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world,” dismissing UN climate predictions as misleading and politically motivated.
In his hour-long address, Trump claimed experts had exaggerated the dangers of global warming. “They said global warming will kill the world, but then it started getting cooler. So now they just call it climate change, because that way, they can’t miss,” he told delegates.
President Ruto, in response, emphasized that such statements cannot erase the harsh realities already affecting the globe. Speaking in an interview with France 24, Ruto highlighted how floods, wildfires, and prolonged droughts are wreaking havoc across continents.
“I don’t think anybody, however influential, powerful or great, can change the facts. Science and facts are stubborn. Climate change is real, and climate action is necessary,” Ruto said.
The Kenyan leader has been at the forefront of pushing for climate financing, particularly for Africa, where nations are bearing the brunt of global warming despite contributing the least to its causes. He underscored that the continent is moving away from dependency-based solutions and instead framing climate action as an investment opportunity.
“It’s no longer about charity. We are putting concrete proposals on the table. Climate action is turning into investment. There are opportunities now even as we tackle this challenge,” Ruto added.
Beyond climate, Ruto warned that the United Nations itself risks collapse if it fails to undergo structural reforms. He called for a more representative UN Security Council and changes to the international financial system to make it fairer for developing countries.
“Unless the UN is reformed, its survival is at stake,” Ruto cautioned.
