A3+1 Retreat kicks off in Nairobi

Ambassador Macharia Kamau, Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, inaugurated the A3+1 Retreat in Nairobi as part of Kenya’s execution of her peace and security mandate at both the UN Security Council and the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) on Monday.

The A-3 refers to the bloc of the three (3) African members of the UN Security Council, currently Niger, Kenya, and Tunisia, with the A-3 plus 1 incorporating the additional Caribbean member, currently Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The African Union’s Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations in New York is also present at the retreat.

During the discussions, Amb. Macharia Kamau welcomed the A3+1 delegations, noting with gratitude that the A3+1 arrangement had become a formidable part of the UN Security Council Political workings, in addition to providing a critical platform for the prosecution of Africa’s Agenda – and that of the Sixth Region (the Caribbean) – at the UN Security Council.

The Principal Secretary stated that the Government of Kenya was delighted to host the retreat in order to allow for discussions that would reinvigorate and energize the A3+work, 1’s and that he looked forward to the adoption of a common approach to matters affecting the African continent.

This, according to Amb. Kamau, was critical in the development of long-term working methods and institutional capabilities that would provide the necessary safeguards for the A3+1 legacy.

The visiting delegates thanked the Kenyan government for taking the lead in hosting the retreat, noting with appreciation that Kenya’s membership in the UN Security Council had been a positive development for the workings and dynamism of the A3+1 in New York.

The delegates also stated that Kenya’s membership in the Council provided the necessary gravitas to allow for serious engagements and deliberations on African issues at the Council.