This archive report was first published on 12 June 2020.
On June 11, 2020, President Uhuru Kenyatta spoke at the 5th virtual meeting of the Bureau of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) at State House, Nairobi, where he emphasized the importance of harnessing the digital revolution and innovation witnessed during the pandemic as a catalyst for post-COVID-19 economic revival.
President Kenyatta noted that the quick action by the Chair, coupled with the solidarity and concerted efforts demonstrated by the AU Member States, AU RECs, Regional Mechanisms, African Business Leaders, and the Private Sector, have so far slowed down the spread of the virus and averted a full-blown catastrophe in Africa.
He revisited the recent Inter-Sessional Summit of the Organization of the African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS), which he hosted in his capacity as the President-in-Office of the institution, saying the meeting helped consolidate the developing world's voice on COVID-19 response and recovery.
President Kenyatta encouraged the use of platforms like the OACPS summit to elevate Africa's position in the global arena and articulate critical issues related to transcending the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly addressing the debilitating debt burden and its effects on the socio-economic wellbeing of nations.
He also called for the urgent deployment of support from international partners and friends to augment ongoing efforts to cushion the most vulnerable populations.
