Nairobi, 28/11/2019/ACP: ACP Secretary General, Dr Patrick I. Gomes, in a media briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nairobi said that the 9th ACP Summit of Heads of State and Government will look into ways of reducing, preventing and overcoming terrorism and insecurity to enhance development while also taking into consideration socioeconomic and cultural issues. Dr. Gomes acknowledged Kenya’s efforts in peacekeeping across the world and in building bridges, which he described as remarkable, “It is about understanding governance that is not about partisanship and fragmentation of society. Having a society that is harmonious with a common vision and realising the potential of everyone.”

Dr. Gomes paid a brief visit to the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, which will next week host more than 19 heads of state and at least 1,500 delegates from African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Member States, to meet with President Uhuru Kenyatta who on December 9 will take over as the next president of the ACP Group for the next three years. The host country for the Summit assumes the presidency of the Group, until the next Summit. The 8th summit was held in Papua New Guinea.

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Macharia Kamau said Kenya is honoured by the unanimous decision by the ACP Group to choose Kenya as the host. He reiterated the country’s commitment to the objectives of the ACP Group of States, which include sustainable development and integration of Member States into the global economy; consolidation of unity and solidarity among Member States and establishing and consolidating peace and stability in a free and democratic society.

Principal Secretary, of the State Department of Planning, Torome Saitoti said that the ACP Group selected Kenya to host the 9th ACP Summit because of the country’s capacity, conference infrastructure, prior relevant experience and financing capacity.

The 9thACP Summit is themed “A Transformed ACP Committed to Multilateralism” and will be preceded by ministerial sessions from December 6-8 at the KICC. At the Summit, the Heads of State will endorse the Nairobi Declaration which will focus on sub-themes such as: Good governance peace and security; environmental sustainability and climate change and intra-ACP cooperation.

For more information on the 9th ACP Summit of Heads of State and Government, visit the Summit website athttp://www.acpsummit.co.ke/.