Month: September 2018

The 2^nd briefing with Members of the Diplomatic Corps on the Blue Economy Conference took place on 27^th September 2018, and was hosted by the Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary, Amb. Macharia Kamau accompanied by the Canadian High Commissioner, H.E Sara Hradecky.

The PS briefed the Diplomats on the progress achieved so far in preparation for the conference, and took them through the schedule of events that shall take place during the conference.

The conference has already attracted quite a number of participants as per the online registration portal statistics, and exhibition space is in high demand said the PS, he however urged the diplomats in attendance to continue appealing to participants from their home countries who had not registered  to sign up before  the closure of the online registration in mid-November.

Amb. Kamau urged the diplomats to put in more effort to publicize the importance of the conference around the world as the issues of discussion revolve around our environment, and our future. He also briefed them on the structure adopted for the conference, which will make it business friendly and more productive. The PS requested them to facilitate interested companies from their home countries willing to participate in the exhibitions, and forward their requests to the secretariat for allocation of space. Think tanks and professionals from institutions and relevant organizations, as well as the private sector are also invited to speak on the concept of the Blue Economy, and be participants at the conference.

As detailed by the Principal Secretary during the forum, there will be three major events running alongside the main conference as follows; Governance and Mayors event, Business event, and Academic and research forum, which will  be held at the Nairobi University. Speakers have also been confirmed for the signature thematic events, and leaders will also be given the opportunity to speak at different forums during the Blue Economy conference, to be held in Nairobi from 26^th to 28^th, November 2018.

Kenya joins other peace-loving nations in congratulating the leaders and people of the two Koreas for successfully holding the 3^rd Joint Meeting to find lasting peace in the Korean peninsula, since the historic Panmunjeom Declaration.

The success of the Pyeongyang Joint Declaration is an affirmation of the commitment and desire of the leaders and people of the two Koreas to realise the aspirations of peace, unity and prosperity in the Korean peninsula, free of nuclear weapons and threats.

Kenya will continue to support further efforts to advance inter-Korean relations and the pursuit of complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and global peace.

New York, USA, 25th September 2018… The Global Sustainable Blue Economy Conference scheduled for 26-28 November in Nairobi got a major boost today with speakers expressing commitment to fully participate at the conference during a well attended side event on the Blue Economy organized on the sidelines of the 73rd United Nations General Assembly.

The side event was attended by inter-alia: several ministers, delegations from UN member states, heads of various UN agencies and international organizations, private sector, academia and Civil Society Organizations.

Different speakers lauded Kenya for showing leadership and demonstrating commitment to the world on how to build a blue economy with Japan indicating they will partner with Kenya and Canada to ensure the success of the first global conference that seeks to build on the momentum of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Cabinet Secretary Amb Monica Juma expressed her gratitude to Canada for co-hosting the conference and organizing the side event adding that the upcoming Global Sustainable Blue Economy Conference is intended to contribute towards the realization of international commitments including the adopted Sendai Framework on Disaster and Risks Reduction, the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the SDGs, and the Paris Climate Agreement among other key global instruments.

She said the Nairobi Conference will focus on unlocking the full productive potential of our waters. “The two-pronged approach is critical because past conferences have paid little attention to productivity, which has a direct bearing on the conservation efforts” Amb. Juma said.

She underscored the importance of the conference, saying that it is dedicated to realizing the untapped potential found in our oceans, seas, lakes and rivers; and focus on integrating economic development, social inclusion and sustainability which promotes a blue economy that is Prosperous, Inclusive and Sustainable.

CS Juma welcomed participants to make the Nairobi conference meaningful through sharing experiences, expertise and innovations that will shape conversation and transition to the blue economy.

Present at the meeting were, Canadian Ministers for Environment and Climate change Hon. Catherine Mckenna and her counterpart Hon. James Gordon Carr, Minister for International Trade and Diversification.

NEW YORK, September 25, 2018…Cabinet Secretary Amb Monica Juma this afternoon held talks with under Secretary General and Head of the United Nations Office for Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, and the Assistant Secretary General and Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED) on the margins of the 73rd United Nations General Assembly.
Mr Voronkov acknowledged Kenya’s leadership role in the area of Counter- terrorism and Counter- Violence Extremism strategy noting progress achieved so far that partly informs the side event meeting showcasing Kenya-Ethiopia experience on border management to be held on October 1, 2018 during the 73rd United Nations General Assembly.
Voronkov also informed of a proposal to establish a network of National Coordinators and focal points on counter terrorism that will be useful in sharing of experiences and best practices.
The executive director Ms Michele Coninsx, noted that Kenya has made significant progress in implementing recommendations made in previous meetings on improvement of border management in view of Kenya’s porous borders
The Cabinet Secretary said it will be important to enhance cooperation and establish monitoring and information sharing mechanisms including a high degree of documentation even as we try to rehabilitate terrorist fighters back into the society.
She reiterated Kenya’s support in upscaling action in the fight against Counter terrorism and Counter violence extremism, rehabilitation and reintegration of the fighters back into the society adding that the level of engagement between Kenya and the United Nations office on counter terrorism should be structured around increasing support.
Present at the meeting were Amb Martin Kimani, Director- National Counter-Terrorism Center and Amb Koki Muli, Deputy PR Kenya Mission in New York.

CS Monica Juma as part of GA day one, accompanied H.E Uhuru Kenyatta for the launch of UN Youth 2030 agenda that seeks to engage and empower young people, under the Generation Unlimited Partnership by UNICEF held on the sidelines of 73rd United Nations General Assembly in New York. The event was attended by UNSG Antonio Guterres, H.E Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Graca Machel.

The 88th Anniversary of the unification of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was celebrated in Nairobi on 24^thSeptember, 2018.

Foreign Affairs Political and Diplomatic Secretary Amb. Tom Amolo was the chief guest during the occasion, and was hosted by H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohammed A. Khayat, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Kenya.

Ambassador. Tom Amolo lauded the warm and cordial relations between the two countries, which have been strengthened through exchange of high level visits by the leadership of both countries.  The PDS said Kenya has benefited a lot from employment and education opportunities offered by Saudi Arabia, and that over 20,000 Kenyans live, work and study in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia also offers a big market for Kenyan tea, coffee, livestock and other related products said the PDS.

The PDS also invited Saudi investors to take advantage of the opportunities available in Kenya, and invest in the sectors of energy and the LAPPSET Project as well as the Konza technology city.

On his part, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohammed Khayat said Saudi Arabia was working on improving labour opportunities and decent work conditions, especially for domestic workers in Saudi Arabia. Ambassador Khayat at the same time announced a financial grant of USD 25 Million, approved by the Saudi government for the construction of a new road project, the Modogashe-Wajir road.

 

NEW YORK, USA, September 24, 2018. Cabinet Secretary Amb Monica Juma this evening accompanied President Uhuru Kenyatta for the Kenya Airways Dinner in New York in preparation for the launch of direct flights from Nairobi to New York on October 28, 2018.  Amb Juma expressed Kenya great pride in the historic achievement that will see the connection between the East African Coast and the Western Hemisphere in a direct and efficient manner.

She noted that the KQ flights between Nairobi and New York will open many new possibilities for both countries including enhancing people to people connection, trade and investment.  She underscored that KQ is one of Kenya’s diplomatic tool and pledged that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will remain available to support its operations. She invited the Americans people to take the inaugural flight to Kenya – to discover their homeland as Kenya is the  cradle of mankind. Present was the Kenya Airways CEO Sabastian Mikoze, Chairman Michael Joseph, travel agents, tour operators, representatives of Kenyans in the Diaspora and friends of Kenya.

I have learnt with huge shock of the passing of Edna Molewa, Minister of Environmental Affairs of the Republic of South Africa. Edna was a sister, friend and professional colleague. I held a bilateral meeting with her on the sidelines of FOCAC in Beijing during which she strongly endorsed and expressed the full support of her government to the Sustainable Blue Economy Conference. She was a champion of a sustainable environment.