Kenya and Australia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
A joint statement indicates that the inaugural Senior Officials Talks took place in Nairobi this week between Mr Ridwaan Jadwat, head of the Middle East and Africa Division of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Australia’s High Commissioner to Kenya, Luke Williams, and their counterparts at Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, led by Director General, Bilateral and Political Affairs, Ambassador George Orina.
“The MOU commits to further develop friendship and cooperation between the two countries and widen the cooperation and mutual contacts between the two governments, including a desire to encourage and improve the economic and social development of the two countries and an acknowledgment of the reciprocal advantages resulting from cooperation in fields of common interest,” read the statement in part.
Areas of cooperation include trade and investment; health, education, and science; regional security, defence cooperation and counter-terrorism; food security and humanitarian assistance; environment and climate change; multilateral affairs; and sport and tourism.
Director General, Bilateral and Political Affairs, Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Amb. George Orina, said, “We welcome today’s agreement with the Australian Government. We look forward to continuing our work together, especially now more than ever as the world faces challenges like climate change, food insecurity, and conflict. Today also presents our two nations with new opportunities in trade and investment; health, education, and science; and will connect us further around two of our greatest exports: sport and tourism.”
Australia’s High Commissioner to Kenya, Mr Luke Williams, said that Australia’s partnership with Kenya dates back nearly sixty years, and this week’s inaugural Senior Officials Talks demonstrate the importance Australia places on deepening its engagement with the Kenyan government and people.
“The signing of the MOU marks a significant milestone in the growth of our bilateral relations with Kenya,” said Williams.
By Joseph Ng’ang’a
