Kenya meeting aims to boost multilateralism

The ninth meeting of African, Caribbean and Pacific, or ACP, heads of state and government opened in Nairobi, Kenya, on Monday with a call for the establishment of a robust multilateral system to promote fair trade and hasten inclusive growth, peace and stability in the global south.

Seventeen heads of state and representatives of 70 of the 79 ACP member states attended the opening ceremony.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said in his opening remarks that a rule-based world order should be strengthened in order to boost action on pressing challenges like poverty, conflicts, violent extremism and climate change.

"Today's multipolar world is characterized by competing geopolitical interests, new challenges to peace, security and movement of people. However, we remain committed to becoming a beacon of hope for multilateralism," said Kenyatta.

Dozens of heads of state and government, ministers, representatives of United Nations agencies, industry executives and scholars are attending the meeting with the theme "A transformed ACP committed to multilateralism".

Kenyatta said developing countries should advocate for a reformed multilateral system that promotes balanced trade, integration, connectivity and responses to climate change. "As ACP member states, we should be firm in advocating for a fair multilateral trading system that safeguards our economies from unfair trading practices," said Kenyatta, who took over as president of the ACP group of states for the next three years.

Patrick Gomes, secretary-general of the ACP group of states, said the meeting presented an opportunity for developing countries to reaffirm their fidelity to the rules-based global system that advances equitable growth, good governance, peace and cohesion.

"We need to commit ourselves to multilateralism despite the crisis it has experienced in order to ensure that democracy, peace and prosperity prevails in our respective countries," said Gomes.

He said the group of states will negotiate for treaties that enhance market access for their products as a means to eradicate extreme poverty, inequality and unemployment.

Gomes said that developing countries will continue to champion low carbon development through the enactment of sound legislation and the adoption of cleaner technologies.

The first ACP meeting of this kind was held in Gabon in 1997, during which group leaders undertook to meet on a regular basis. Consequently, ACP leaders have met every three years on average.

Heavy rainfall, floods

Meanwhile, as unusually heavy rainfall and floods, caused by climate change, hit Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in eastern Africa, at least 280 people have been killed and more than 2.8 million others affected, the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a statement last week.

On Monday, Kenyatta joined dozens of speakers who raised concerns over the devastating effects of climate change across the globe.

"Climate change poses the greatest threat to our combined future and the time to deal with this critical issue is indeed now. It is time that we make a firm commitment to tackle climate change, and this runs deep and arises out of our need to secure our future and that of our children," he said.

In her address, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley called on ACP members to tackle new challenges, especially climate change.

"Today there is clear evidence ... that we are living the reality of the climate crisis and this puts the responsibility of responding to the changing climate squarely at our doorsteps," Mottley said.

Jutta Urpilaienen, representative of the European Union at the meeting, said it was not enough to send messages of condolence whenever people lose their lives as a result of floods and landslides.

"We cannot just sit and wait for tragedy to hit us. Condolences are not enough," Urpilaienen said.

Xinhua and Otiato Opali in Nairobi, Kenya, contributed to the story