This archive report was first published on 9 December 2019.
On Monday, President Uhuru Kenyatta took over the chairmanship of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of 79 countries, vowing to spearhead reforms and reinvigoration of the organization for the next three years.
Speaking at the 9th ACP Summit of Heads of State and Government at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, President Kenyatta emphasized the need for the ACP nations to defend multilateral trading systems to protect themselves from unfair trade practices.
‘I will also champion the group’s solidarity and unity; advocate for an enhanced intra-ACP and South-South and Triangular Cooperation; Champion a Reform Agenda for the ACP Group; push for the integration of our States into the global economy, as well as the conclusion and implementation of the New Partnership Agreement,’ said the President.
President Kenyatta urged ACP countries to embrace innovation and technology to boost their economies, citing Kenya as an example of a country that has undertaken a deliberate path of structural transformation.
He identified four priority sectors: manufacturing, affordable housing, universal health coverage, and food and nutrition security, which he said were prioritized to drive equitable and inclusive economic development and improve quality of life.
Other leaders who spoke at the summit included the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, and the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, among others.
