STATEMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY HON. UHURU KENYATTA, C.G.H., PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE DEFENCE FORCES DURING CLOSING JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE – TICAD VI SUMMIT AT KENYATTA INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE, NAIROBI ON 28TH AUGUST, 2016

Your Excellency, Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, of Japan, Your Excellency Idriss Déby, President of the Republic of Chad, Senior Officials Present, Members of the Press, Ladies and Gentlemen. We have come to the close of two very intensive days of the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on Africa Development, (TICADVI). This was a Conference of its own kind and which has been held for the first time in Africa, and specifically, here in Nairobi, Kenya. We are extremely grateful for the honour that has been bestowed upon us as a country, by the African Member States and by the Government of It is without a doubt, a clear manifestation of the confidence that our brothers and sisters within the continent have on us. More importantly, it further confirms the faith and confidence that the international community at large, has in Kenya as a country. Ladies and Gentlemen, In our estimation, the TICAD VI Conference has been most successful. We had a staggering 10,000 delegates, plus, from across Africa and Japan and from other global destinations, all meeting here to dialogue with us on a better future for all of us together. The number of Heads of State and Governments as well as the representation from the continent was close 100 per cent. This, coupled with the presence of over 100 Chief Executive Officers from Japan representing top Japanese companies, attests to the seriousness we have given the TICAD Process. For the first time, TICAD brought in the private sector and participants from Civil Society Organisations and therefore laying the foundation for the much acclaimed Japanese ‘Kaizen Model’ whose core essence is the spirit of ‘continuous improvement’. There were well-over 100 side events during TICAD VI, all signalling to the rich content and variety in participation. I am sure that as we move to the next stage of rolling out the agreed Implementation Plan, we will have a lot to celebrate in the coming three years when we meet in Mr. Prime Minister, Ladies and Gentlemen, The Summit was anchored on the theme of “Advancing Africa’s Sustainable Development Agenda and, “Partnership for Prosperity.” As you may have seen for yourselves, all the discussions were held in a cordial and brotherly environment. Indeed, during the Summit, we have unanimously adopted the Nairobi Declaration and its Implementation Plan. It is the declaration and its implementation plan that we expect, will guide the next years of delivering on the three main themes considered during TICAD VI; stated as follows:

Promoting structural economic transformation through economic diversification and industrialization;
Promoting resilient health systems for quality of life, and
Promoting social stability for shared prosperity.

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Nairobi Declaration, covers a wide range of issues, which in its full implementation will contribute to the development of the Africa and contribute immensely to improving the standards of living of our citizens. In particular, we expect improvements on our continental infrastructure; clean energy generation and distribution; modernisation of our health systems; enhanced food security, increased access to clean water as well as the strengthening of irrigation technologies. In addition, we expect a greater exchange of scientific and technical expertise. Moreover, we in Africa will endeavour to strengthen our resolve for better regional economic integration; the empowerment of more African women and youth as economic actors as well as ensuring increased market access for African goods. On the foregoing basis, I urge my brothers and sisters here that it is incumbent upon each one of us to prioritize implementation. In conclusion, Ladies and Gentlemen, I just want to emphasise that the uniqueness of TICAD lies in its ability to bring together Africa and all other stakeholders towards the development of the continent. TICAD has evidently elevated the quality of life right across the continent of Africa and brought very critical focus on African Development to wider the International Community. It is has rekindled interest in Africa that has clearly captured the interest of other partners who are keen to forge similar relationships with us. I wish to therefore thank the Government of Japan for initiating the TICAD process. I also wish to thank and acknowledge the role played by all the other co-organizers; namely the UNDP; the World Bank Group as well as our own African Union Commission who worked tirelessly to ensure that TICAD VI was a resounding success. Similarly, I express gratitude to all the partners and the delegates who joined with us from all walks of life because without each one of you, there would have been no conference here in. Thank you very much for your attention.

STATEMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY HON. UHURU KENYATTA, C.G.H., PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE DEFENCE FORCES DURING CLOSING JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE – TICAD VI SUMMIT AT KENYATTA INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE, NAIROBI ON 28TH AUGUST, 2016

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