The President said Kenya has redefined its foreign policy to ensure it properly supports robust reciprocal bilateral and multilateral relations in trade, taxation and investment.
President Kenyatta disclosed that the Government will target new economic powers and more traditional economic partners seeking to increase trade and investment relations.
“While we do this, we will be paying special attention to our immediate sub-region and Africa which is the principal orientation of our Foreign Policy,” he said.
Under the peace diplomacy pillar, the President said Kenya will continue to collaborate with other African countries to strengthen the conflict-prevention, management and resolution capacity of regional institutions.
“Moreover, we will continue to work with our partners to eradicate the pressing international threats of terrorism, piracy, money laundering, drug and child trafficking,” the President said.
On the environment, President Kenyatta said Kenya will continue to play a critical role in shaping the global environmental agenda as the host of the United Nations Environment Programme – the first UN agency to be headquartered in the Global South.
He commended the leadership displayed by Kenyan diplomats on the multilateral stage in trade, environment and the post-2015 development agenda negotiations.
Noting that culture plays a role in shaping international relations, the President said Kenya intends to increase awareness of its cultural richness and generate global interest in the country’s cultural heritage.
“We seek to promote the use and recognition of Kiswahili as a continental and global language,” the President said, “We also believe that our outstanding sportsmen and women and artists are key assets in sharing our culture with the world.”
He said the two policy documents will govern Kenya’s external relations and consolidate contribution of the Kenyan Diaspora to the country’s development.
“While the Foreign Policy document lays out the principles that govern our engagement with the world, the Diaspora Policy will guide us in harnessing the wealth and expertise of Kenyans in the Diaspora to our development efforts,” he said.
The president also appreciated that the country’s efforts to embrace the Diaspora were recognized by the African Union in January 2014, when the Ordinary Session of the Executive Council accepted Kenya’s offer to host the African Institute for Remittances (AIR).
“The establishment of the Institute, the first of its kind in the world, will form a cornerstone in harnessing Diaspora resources for social and economic development in Africa,” he said.
The institute was launched in November 2014 and is expected to be fully operational soon.
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