1 11th International Symposium of the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka May 3rd, 2023, Online via ZOOM Poverty and Climate Action: Some Evidence from Current Projects at Maseno University, Kenya Fredrick Onyango Aila Department of Business Administration Maseno University, Kenya Abstract SDG#1 and #13 No poverty and Climate Action by the year 2030 are interconnected and a good discussion point at this conference. One priority action on poverty eradication is improving access to sustainable livelihoods, entrepreneurial opportunities and productive resources. Target 1.5 states that: “By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters. Target 13.1: “ Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate related disasters: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries” and Target 13.3: “Build knowledge and capacity to meet climate change: improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.” Agribusiness remains central to food security, job creation, and inclusive growth in many low-income countries. Targeting women and youth (the buttress of African population) for climate-smart agribusiness can help eradicate poverty and mitigate the climate challenge. We reflect on six ongoing projects at Maseno University that engage women and youth in agribusinesses by mitigating both poverty and climate challenge. The key lessons learnt can be replicated in other regions. Key Words Agroecology, CEGFSD, CEIED, CETC-IL, East Africa, FAO, Kenya, PreActiCe, UPSCALE Preamble I am delighted to be invited to be a guest panel speaker for the 11th International Symposium of the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka. This event is a starting point for continual engagement between our institutions and will ride on the mutual bilateral engagements between our countries. Both countries are members of the Commonwealth of Nations. Diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Kenya was established in 1970 1 . Nairobi serves as the main communication and financial center of the African Great Lakes. As of 2021, Sri Lanka’s exports to Kenya stood at $46M with light rubberized knitted fabric topping the chart at $13.5M. Kenya’s exports to Sri Lanka totaled $4.16M with tea at $3.33M being the top earner. Kenya’s GDP, $110B was higher than Sri Lanka’s, $84.5B in the same period. GDP growth between 2011 and 2021 varied drastically with Kenya at 135% and Sri Lanka 29.4 per cent. Kenya’s GDP per capita was $2,007 and grew at 84.9% over the ten year period. Sri Lanka’s GDP per capita was higher at $3,815 and 1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenya%E2%80%93Sri_Lanka_relations