Kenya set to host 15 African Heads of State, 50 ministers this week

Kenya is set to host 15 Heads of State and 50 Foreign Affairs ministers from across the African continent during the 5th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting (MYCM) set for later this week.

Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Dr Alfred Mutua, in a statement to newsrooms on Tuesday, said the summit will begin on Thursday and run through to Sunday

“I welcome all delegates to Kenya to attend and participate in the 5th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting, (5th MYCM) scheduled to take place from 13 to 16 July 2023 in Nairobi,” Mutua stated.

“The meeting of Heads of State and Government will be held on Sunday, 16th July 2023 at The United Nations in Gigiri, Nairobi.”

CS Mutua revealed that among the dignitaries expected are the eight Heads of State and Government who chair the Regional Economic Communities, the African Union Commission and Regional Mechanisms (RMs).

The eight chairs of the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) include Burundi (EAC), Djibouti (IGAD), Zambia (COMESA), DRC (SADC), Nigeria (ECOWAS, Chad (CEN-SAD), Libya  (UMA), and Gabon (ECCAS).

MYCM was formed in 2017 as the principal forum for the African Union Commission, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Regional Mechanisms in a bid to align their work and coordinate the implementation of the continental integration agenda.

CS Mutua noted that the AU theme for this year’s conference is ‘Acceleration of AfCFTA Implementation’, which he added is aimed at fast-tracking the achievement of one of the flagship projects of Agenda 2063; ‘The Africa We Want.’

According to Dr Mutua, before the 5th MYCM on Sunday, the 43rd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union which brings together Ministers of Foreign Affairs from across the continent will be taking place beginning from Thursday.

He says the meeting seeks to consider and approve the AU financial budget for 2024, assess the implementation of AU decisions and also adopt new decisions on substantive issues of continental interest.

With the MYCM expected to bring in more than 1500 delegates from across Africa, CS Mutua underscored that the conference will be a critical centre for tourism and trade opportunities.

“International conferences are key and strategic drivers of our tourism market especially in the MICE Sector,” he said.

“Every successful international conference held in Kenya cements our globally known legacy of our country's capability to host global meetings and further give delegates the opportunity to experience magical Kenya beyond the confines of the conference halls.”

At the conclusion of the conference, Mutua says Kenya expects to launch the African Audio-visual and Cinema Commission (AACC) to promote opportunities for the youth.

“The 36th African Union Assembly on 18th February 2023 honoured Kenya with the responsibility to the temporary secretariat of this Commission in Nairobi,” he said.

“AACC is a Specialized Agency of the AUC mandated to develop and strengthen the African audiovisual which is critical in supporting the creative economy and providing Economic opportunities for millions of the youthful population in our continent.”