UNCTAD conference an opportunity to address global economic crisis CS Amina Mohamed

UNCTAD conference an opportunity to address global economic crisis  CS Amina Mohamed

United Nations Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD) 14th Session to be held in Nairobi provides a unique opportunity for the organisation to build its legacy to address the future of development, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Cabinet Secretary Ms Amina Mohamed has said.

Speaking Monday during an information session at the United Nations Complex in Geneva, Ms Mohamed said recent global economic and financial crisis as well as the slowdown in international trade underscored the need for systemic reforms.

She said the role of UNCTAD in promoting trade as an engine of development is critical in facilitating the integration of developing Countries into the global economy.

“As the first UN conference of the post-2015 era, it will represent a starting point to translate the heightened ambitions and commitments of the international community into concrete plans of action,” said CS Mohamed.

The CS appreciated the honour bestowed upon Africa and Kenya in particular to host UNCTAD 14 and pledged to ensure transparent and supportive role as a host.

The 14th session of the UNCTAD conference will be held from July 17th-22th, 2016 at the Kenya International Convention Centre (KICC), Nairobi.

The theme of this year’s UNCTAD 14 is: ‘From Decisions to Actions: Moving towards an inclusive and equitable global economic environment for trade and Development’.

CS Mohamed added: “The expectation is that this conference being a multi-stakeholder event incorporating the Youth Forum, the UNCTAD World Investment Forum, the Civil Society Forum, and the Large Cities Forum should no doubt deliver on the theme.”

Present during the information session hosted by the UNCTAD Secretary General Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi were Cabinet Secretaries Najib Balala (Tourism) and  Adan Mohamed (Industrialization and Enterprise Development).

This is the second time that the UNCTAD conference is being hosted in Kenya, 40 years since the fourth (4th) Session that was hosted in May 1976 in Nairobi.

The conference during the 4th Session recognized that the fundamental economic challenge facing the international community was the lack of a systemic approach to the economic marginalization of developing countries, which stemmed from their exclusion from meaningful participation in international economic decision-making.

“One key area was, and remains, the field of commodities. A key outcome from the Nairobi conference was, therefore, the establishment of the Integrated Programme for Commodities in the UNCTAD Secretariat.”

CS Mohamed assured the meeting of the Government’s commitment to ensure the conference is a success.

“The Government is committed to ensuring that the conference is a resounding success and we look forward to your continued support. I look forward to receiving in Nairobi,” said CS Mohamed.

A multi stakeholder National Preparatory Committee is spearheading the preparatory process.

The preparatory team is currently addressing various logistical issues which will be elaborated further in the presentation as well as in bilateral engagements during this session.

Report by Edwin Limo, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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