Official Opening of the Embassy of Ireland, Nairobi by Minister Simon Coveney
Official Opening of the Embassy of Ireland, Nairobi by Minister Simon Coveney, T.D. Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Amina Mohamed, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kenya.
Minister Simon Coveney, and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Amina Mohamed, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kenya, jointly opened the Embassy of Ireland, Nairobi on Wednesday 8th November 2017.
Ireland closed its Embassy in Nairobi in 1988 for economic reasons. The decision of the Government to re-open the Embassy in Nairobi in 2014 was made, not only in full recognition of Kenya's importance to the prosperity and stability of the East Africa region, but also because of the progress the country has made in advancing democracy, progressing development and addressing insecurity.
The decision reflects the excellent diplomatic relations that exist between the two governments, as exemplified also by the opening of the Kenyan Embassy in Ireland in 2007. It signals a determination to explore new markets and strengthen Ireland's presence in East Africa.
The achievement of Ireland and Kenya in brokering international consensus on the Sustainable Development Goals, is an important example of what the partnership between the countries has already achieved.
Along with serving the needs of Irish citizens in the country, the Embassy is working to deepen bilateral political and economic relationships in ways that are beneficial to both countries.
For example, the Embassy, very much drawing from Ireland experience, supports the Kenya Investment Authority to help attract foreign direct investment to Kenya by establishing a One Stop Shop for interested international investors.
Some months back, the Young Scientist Kenya initiative was launched by the Cabinet Secretary of Education as the premier national competition for Young Scientists in Kenya. This is based on the hugely successful Young Scientists and Technology Exhibition in Ireland and its launch in Kenya has been the result of cooperation between the Embassy, the Ministry of Education and many other Kenyan partners.
The Minister launched the Ireland Kenya Agri Food Strategy – a plan for increasing trade, deepening institutional partnerships, and directing development cooperation for the next four years.
The Minister also announced three Irish-Kenyan joint business ventures in agri-business – with the objective of supporting local business activity to the benefit of smallholder farmers in Kenya.
During his visit the Minister also witnessed the signature of cooperation agreements in fisheries – between the Irish Marine Institute and the Irish Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and the Kenyan Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries.
This is bilateral cooperation working to the mutual benefit of both countries and exemplifies the mature political and economic relationship which the Irish Government is seeking in Africa.