This archive report was first published on 12 November 2019.
Nairobi Hosts 6,000 World Leaders for ICPD Conference ¶
The city of Nairobi is currently hosting the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), a major event that brings together over 6,000 world leaders from around the globe. The conference, which kicked off on November 12, 2019, is being held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) and is expected to run until November 14, 2019.
Ambassador Macharia Kamau, the Principal Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that the conference will feature top government officials, including Heads of State, parliamentarians, and representatives from NGOs. He added that Kenya will be at the forefront of this significant event, which aims to empower women and girls in all spheres of their lives.
According to reports, several roads in Nairobi will be affected by the movement of dignitaries from their hotels to the KICC. The roads that are expected to be affected include Kiambu Road, Mombasa Road, Waiyaki Way, Kenyatta Avenue, Upper Hill, Statehouse Road, Valley Road, Langata Road, and Thika Road.
Motorists in Nairobi have been complaining about the heavy traffic caused by the conference. Shirlyn Ndungu said, 'I've been in traffic for 3 hours and moved less than 30km. What is Nairobi traffic?' Lizz Gitau added, 'It is great to host ICPD25, but all Nairobi county needed to do is ensure Nairobians are well informed of the traffic inconvenience and road closures by having notices on all roads and give alternative routes.'
The ICPD conference is a significant event that aims to achieve all the goals laid out in the ICPD Programme of Action in 1994. The conference will focus on five main issues, including sexual and reproductive health as part of universal health coverage, the funding required to realize all goals of the ICPD's Programme of Action, and demographic diversity.
Discussions at the summit are also expected to highlight the power of gender equality, youth leadership, political and community leadership, innovation and data, and partnerships to accelerate change.
