22/09/2023
President William Samoei Ruto's diverse engagements during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly ( ) in the last 24 hours:
1.) Franklin Templeton: President Ruto engaged in discussions with global investment firm Franklin Templeton, exploring potential investment opportunities in Kenya. The goal is to encourage their investment in Kenya, which could stimulate economic growth and job creation in the country;
2.) Diplomatic Relations with Haiti: President Ruto played a pivotal role in establishing diplomatic relations with Haiti. This diplomatic milestone is expected to bolster ties and cooperation between the two nations, ultimately benefiting the citizens of both countries;
3.) UN-Backed Security Mission in Haiti: President Ruto committed to deploying a specialized team to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the situation in Haiti. This approach encompasses political, security, and developmental considerations, with the aim of finding a long-term solution to the security and humanitarian crisis in Haiti;
4.) Meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken (USA): President Ruto engaged in discussions with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, focusing on climate change mitigation and the deepening of bilateral trade and investment cooperation between Kenya and the United States. He also expressed gratitude for the U.S.'s commitment to climate-resilient food security in Africa;
5.) Engagement with Dr. Akinwumi Adesina of the African Development Bank Group: President Ruto participated in discussions on clean energy and sustainable development. The collaboration aims to leverage Africa's abundant natural resources to facilitate the global transition to clean energy and promote prosperity;
6.) Talks with Makhtar diop of the IFC - International Finance Corporation : President Ruto discussed clean energy and development with Makhtar Diop, emphasizing the importance of financial systems that support climate resilience and development in developing countries;
7.) Involvement in the Global Africa Business Initiative Panel with Gayle Smith (CEO of the ONE Campaign): President Ruto joined discussions during this panel, highlighting the need to mobilize capital and harness Africa's potential for clean energy and sustainable development;
8.) Committee of Africa Heads of State on Climate Change: President Ruto addressed the Nairobi Declaration on climate change during this meeting, emphasizing Africa's readiness for investments and partnerships in green growth. He urged credit rating agencies to reconsider their risk analysis to encourage more investment in Africa;
9.) US-Africa Investment Forum: President Ruto contributed to discussions aimed at transforming African investments into tangible opportunities, moving beyond potential to concrete investment prospects;
10.) Climate Forward Talk at The New York Times: President Ruto shared insights on combatting climate change and discussed the role of sustainable development in securing a better future;
11.) Partnership with the National Basketball Association (NBA): President Ruto signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the NBA to develop basketball in Kenya. This comprehensive initiative covers talent development, infrastructure enhancement, and the establishment of an NBA office in Nairobi, promising a brighter future for basketball enthusiasts in Kenya.
Truly, President Ruto utilized his time well, further strengthening Kenya's position on the global stage and fostering cooperation across multiple critical domains. His dedication to advancing diplomacy, economic growth, security, climate action, and sports development exemplifies Kenya's unwavering commitment to global progress.