State House Spokesperson Manoah Isipisu says Kenya for major gains during the upcoming conference/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 24 – Over 20 African leaders are expected to attend this year’s Tokyo International Conference on Africa’s Development (TICAD) in Nairobi.
The event set for August 27th and 28th 2016 will have three main themes that include promoting structural economic transformation through economic diversification and industrialization, promotion of resilient health systems for quality of life and promotion of social stability.
President Uhuru Kenyatta will open the event, alongside Japan Prime Minister Shinzō Abe.
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon will also attend the conference.
This is the first Summit to be held outside Japan.
State House Spokesperson Manoah Isipisu says Kenya for major gains during the upcoming conference.
“It is clear to us that industrialisation and innovation are key drivers of prosperity, right across the world. It is equally clear that these are two areas in which Japan has experience and expertise to share. African countries — Kenya among them — long ago identified the shortfall in industrial skills as a central hindrance to the prosperity we hope to see for our confidence. We hope, therefore, to learn from Japan’s experience in these fields,” Isipisu said in a news conference at State House on Sunday.
He says, Kenya is also gearing itself to take as much benefit it can on health matters during the conference.
“We must strengthen our health systems so that we are better able to prevent threats to public health as well as respond quickly and effectively to these threats. I am pleased to say that there will be extensive discussion of this theme at the conference,” he explained.
About 5,000 delegates are expected to attend the forum.
The forum comes after the country hosted the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (TICAD) that saw 194 nations sign two key documents: the Nairobi Azimio, and the Nairobi Maafikiano.
UNCTAD came a year after United States President Barack Obama’s Global Entrepreneurship Summit.
Since he visited, Kenya has hosted a number of important conferences that include the World Trade Organisation 10th ministerial conference and welcomed a number of important visitors from Pope Francis to the Prime Minister of Israel.
“These visits are proof of Kenya’s growing influence, strong friendships and partnerships with nation’s right across the world,” he said.
The country is also set to host the Africa Agricultural Forum on September 4th to 9th 2016.
Over 2,000 delegates are expected to attend this forum aimed at discussing the future of Africa’s Agriculture as a main source of food, employment, and income.
In November 28 to December 1, 2016, Kenya will also host the second high level meeting of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation.
