The UNCTAD14 summit brought with is fair share of publicity and attention in the first days as targets were being set and delegates were still streaming in, this is partly due to the fact that Kenya was hosting its 2nd summit, but also due to the fact that vital discussions were to be highlighted, among them the main item called the Nairobi consensus, a document detailing the four-year work plan of UNCTAD and other vital trade agreements of its member states.
On Friday an agreement was reached in relation to the Nairobi consensus, an agreement which is meant to benefit many nations, both developed and developing nations. Even though discussions were kept under wrap for long periods, in fact for most of the week, there was a visible delight from the delegates who dedicated most of their time to the discussions. UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi was happy with the outcome, “I’m delighted that our 194 member states have been able to reach this consensus, giving a central role to UNCTAD in delivering the sustainable development goals,” he said.
Earlier on, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Amina Mohamed who was also the president of this the summit had indicated that there were healthy discussions ongoing which were meant to ensure increased trade inclusion among all the states in the union, adding that the work to done was crucial in determining the outcome of the summit, “Now that the preparatory stages are over we are entering the heavy lifting, working on the real text for the next few days,” she said as the UNCTAD 14 meeting discussions entered a serious stage of deliberations. After the tough discussions regarding the four-year work plan of UNCTAD, she was quick to
point out on her twitter handle on Friday that a deal had been agreed, “We have a deal! UNCTAD agrees on Negotiated Text!” She said.
The UNCTAD 14 summit was not only about the four-year work programme of the organization, though, as several deals were signed and initiatives launched. These include the e-trade initiative, the launch of a multi-donor trust fund on trade and productive capacity among other deals that will truly help the growing economy of developing countries in one way or another, including Kenya.
Kenya also took center stage in the fashion docket, as fashion accessories from the country were on display. Various fashion designers were given a platform to showcase their designs and bring a different but much-needed taste to the summit which had been an absorbing meeting for most of the week, given the deals, discussion, and initiatives that were being dealt with.