Kenya is keen in implementing programs geared towards improving livelihoods of her citizens under the Big 4 agendas, H.E presidents Uhuru Kenyatta has told 2022 Africities summit participants.
Speaking during the official opening and launch of the 9th edition of a 5-day Africities summit in Kisumu County, the head of state said the summit will help address climate change, rapid urbanization in African cities post covid19 pandemic.
The 5-day international conference has brought to the lakeside city over 8,000 delegates from across the world to deliberate on the ‘role of intermediary cities of Africa in the implementation the United Nations Agenda 2030 and the African Union Agenda 2063
“This summit comes at a critical time when Africa is facing rapid urbanisation. Intermediary cities in Africa are home to approximately 174 million people representing about 36 per cent of the continent’s population and contribute about 40 per cent of our continent’s GDP,” said President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The summit held every three years over a five-day period has brought together officials from the United Nations, African Union, United Cities and Local Govts of Africa (UCGL), members of the diplomatic core, and senior government officials including governors and cabinet secretaries.
Although the summit will take place in dome tents, the construction of a multimillion-shilling ultramodern conference centre in Kisumu is at an advanced stage.
The conference centre is expected to serve Kisumu for several years to come and is expected to promote tourism and cultural events in the lakeside city.
Also present, AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development and also the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya presidential candidate Raila Odinga said Africa needs more investment and infrastructure development, the reason he has proposed for the establishment of Africa Infrastructure Fund.
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