The previous NAFM meeting was held in Algeria in October 2023 and the one before that in Helsinki in June 2022. More than 20 foreign ministers have registered for the meeting. Annual meetings of Nordic and African foreign ministers have been held since 2001. The themes to be discussed range from peace and security to trade and investment and multilateral cooperation. This year’s meeting will focus on issues related to trade and investment. Foreign Minister Valtonen will also have bilateral discussions with African foreign ministers during the NAFM.

“African countries have crucial political and economic importance in the current geopolitical situation. It is important for us to intensify our partnership with African countries at all levels. We are focusing on trade and investments as well on political dialogue,” says Foreign Minister Valtonen.

In addition to the official meeting agenda, Denmark will organise a youth panel, and a Finnish youth delegate will be among the panellists. The first NAFM youth panel was held at the 2022 Helsinki meeting on Finland’s initiative. This is the first time that the countries’ delegations will be accompanied by representatives of the business community. The Finland Chamber of Commerce and the Confederation of Finnish Industries will be represented in the Finnish delegation.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland.

The UAE conveyed its sincere condolences and expressed its solidarity with the Republic of Kenya over victims of floods caused by heavy rainfall, which resulted in a dam collapsing that led to a number of deaths, and severe damage.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy with the government and people of Kenya, and to the families of the victims.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs&International Cooperation.

After serving as the non-resident High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Republic of Seychelles for two years, Mr Muhammad Arshad Jan Pathan paid a farewell call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Mr Sylvestre Radegonde at Maison Queau de Quincy on Monday 29 April 2024.

During their meeting, the two diplomats discussed agreements which have been signed between the two countries in various areas of ongoing cooperation such as Health, Combating Financial Crimes as well as negotiations being undertaken to revise the Bilateral Air Service Agreement between the two countries signed in 1979.

Possible cooperation in the field of Maritime Security was another topic broached on by the outgoing High Commissioner and Minister Radegonde in addition to capacity building opportunities in this field as well as Diplomacy and the Banking sector.

High Commissioner Pathan’s successor is yet to be announced.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism – Foreign Affairs Department, Republic of Seychelles.

As a flagship programme of the International Trade Centre (ITC), EFI’s business model has 15 years of success in bringing sustainable, quality fashion products onto the global stage.

The programme encourages circular design and production, so that creators make durable, reusable products with the goal of generating zero waste.

Some 2,500 people from marginalized communities throughout Kenya are expected to receive specialized training, improved working conditions and increased access to the market, with prominent international fashion firms.

EFI launched the new three-year project on 17 April with the Embassy of Italy in Kenya and the Nairobi office of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). The Italian Government is funding the project to foster sustainable fashion production and job creation in Kenya.

The launch took place at the project’s main incubation hub, the Don Bosco Training Centre in Nairobi. The event was attended by:

Susan Mang’eni, Principal Secretary in the State Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development
Mercy Wanjau, Secretary to the Cabinet of the Republic of Kenya
Roberto Natali, Ambassador of Italy
Giovanni Grandi, Head of the AICS Regional Office in Nairobi
Stephen Jackson, the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Kenya
Alex Musembi, co-founder of Africa Collect Textiles
Lilian Kahiro, Director of Ushinde

‘By empowering artisans, micro-producers, and entrepreneurs, our aim is to pave the way for inclusive and sustainable economic growth,’ said Grandi, head of AICS Nairobi. ‘Employment and business creation stand as cornerstones of the Italian Cooperation’s commitment in Kenya, and through this initiative we aim at harnessing the potential offered by the incredible entrepreneurial drive of the Kenya population and of its young population.’

‘Kenyan artisans are already world-class creatives. What they sometimes still lack is access to the markets and systems at the international level that will allow them to take their production to the next level,’ said Jackson. ‘This ITC initiative will provide that, marrying local and international expertise for a win-win situation in the fast-moving world of global fashion.’

Kenya’s economic growth depends on working with small businesses, especially those employing women and youth, Mang’eni said. These efforts enable them to improve their competitiveness in domestic, regional and global trade, she added.

‘I am delighted the Ethical Fashion Initiative, which has a solid track record in supporting MSME’s from the fashion value chain, is launching this project in Kenya, creating new employment opportunities and shining a light on our homegrown creative and productive capacities,’ she said.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.