Kenya has positioned itself as a global leader in environmental sustainability by successfully championing the first-ever United Nations resolution on the environmental sustainability of artificial intelligence (AI) at the seventh session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-7). The landmark decision was announced on December 12, 2025, during the high-level segment held at the United Nations Complex in Gigiri, where President William Samoei Ruto was accompanied by several officials, including Environment Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa and UN Environment Programme Executive Director Inger Andersen.
This resolution marks a significant shift in global environmental and technological diplomacy, indicating that Africa’s voice is increasingly influential in the dialogue about emerging technologies and the planet’s future. For the first time in UN history, a comprehensive examination of the environmental implications of AI has been undertaken, addressing critical issues such as the ecological footprint of AI systems, which includes energy and water consumption, mineral extraction, and land pressure. This effort also highlights AI’s transformative potential in enhancing climate resilience and biodiversity protection.
The rapid growth of AI technology around the globe, including in Kenya, carries hidden environmental costs, such as the substantial water and electricity demands of data centers. As competition for essential minerals escalates, African nations, including Kenya, are acutely aware of these risks but have historically lacked a platform to influence global norms around sustainable AI governance. This changed at UNEA-7, where Kenyan leaders actively shaped the conversation.
By promoting this groundbreaking resolution, Kenya has ensured that Africa is no longer a passive observer but an active participant in guiding how AI impacts both people and the environment. The continent grapples with serious climate vulnerabilities and significant gaps in environmental data, which underscore the urgent need for sustainable AI deployment.
The resolution emphasizes that AI systems must operate in an environmentally responsible manner, reinforcing environmental protection and climate action. It asserts that developing countries require equitable access to high-quality, interoperable environmental data. Furthermore, it calls for global support to assist nations in developing sovereign AI capabilities and instructs the UN Environment Programme to enhance scientific understanding of AI’s environmental effects within the framework of the Global Digital Compact.
Kenya’s Special Envoy on Technology, Ambassador Philip Thigo, characterized the resolution as a clarion call for Africa to emerge as a vital force in the AI revolution. “This resolution is a recognition that artificial intelligence will shape the planet as profoundly as it shapes economies. Africa cannot afford to be an observer in this transformation. We must shape an AI future that is sustainable, inclusive, and grounded in environmental stewardship,” he stated.
Thigo also expressed appreciation for the spirit of cooperation demonstrated by various delegations, notably the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the African Group, alongside notable support from Egypt. “Together, we have ensured that voices from every region, including the Global South, are integral in defining how intelligence serves people and the planet,” he added.
This achievement underscores Kenya’s rising influence in international diplomacy and reflects a commitment to advancing science, technology, and environmental stewardship through impactful global partnerships. For many Kenyans, this diplomatic triumph symbolizes hope and agency, affirming the country’s potential to contribute to innovative, equitable, and sustainable technological solutions for the world.
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