Economy

Kenya to host regional MPs forum with security as key issue

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President Uhuru Kenyatta addresses the delegates during the ICGLR Summit on the Fight Against Youth Unemployment Through Infrastructure, Development and Investment Promotion in Nairobi, on July 24, 2014. PHOTO | FILE |

Parliamentary delegations from 12 African states will be in the country for three days to discuss regional security, youth unemployment and exploitation of natural resources.

The forum scheduled for January 20 to 22 will be the fifth since the establishment of the Forum of Parliaments of the International Conference of Great Lakes Region (FP-ICGLR).

So far, 76 participants have confirmed their attendance in the forum that provides a platform for exchange of views on conflict resolution, experiences and dialogue amongst members.

“Issues cutting across the region will be discussed at the meeting including terrorism in Kenya, strife in Southern Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo among other pressing matters,” said Ekwee Ethuro, Speaker of the Senate.

He was speaking yesterday at Parliament Buildings during a press briefing on the forum which was formed in 2008 to allow ownership and ratification of a pact by member states.

Kenya will be represented by a delegation of 11 members including Senators and Members of the National Assembly, led by the Senate Speaker. Other countries expected to bring in their delegation include, Angola, Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Sudan, Southern Sudan, Uganda, Congo, Central Africa Republic and DR Congo.

The conference to be hosted at Laico Regency Hotel will run under the theme “Parliamentary Democracy: promoting security, stability and development in the great lakes region”.

Other topics to be discussed include infrastructure development and investment promotion in the Great Lakes Region. President Uhuru Kenyatta is scheduled to preside over official opening of the ceremony accompanied by ambassadors or their representatives.

The fourth Plenary Session of the FP-ICGLR was held in Bunjumbura, Burundi in November 2013. At the heart of the forum was the security situation in Burundi, the CAR and eastern DRC, as well as the state of play between Sudan and South Sudan.