Kenya to host UN, World Bank peace meeting

President Uhuru Kenyatta and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at a past function. Ban will be among leaders expected to attend a forum on development in the Horn of Africa on Wednesday. [Photo: File/Standard]

Kenya is set to host a high level, joint UN-World Bank meeting on Wednesday to discuss peace and development in the Horn of Africa.

Among guests expected to attend are UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, World Bank President Jim Yong Kim, African Development Bank President Donald Kaberuka, African Union Commission Deputy Chairperson Erastus Mwencha, IGAD Executive Secretary Ambassador Mahboub M Maalim and a senior representative from the European Union.

The meeting which ends on Friday will focus on conflict, displacement and security at both national and regional levels.

The World Bank has pledged Sh151 billion to be shared among the countries in the Horn of Africa. Kenya has borne the brunt of instability in the region that has lasted over four decades, leading to influx of millions of refugees into the country."The meeting has been confirmed and it will take place from October 29 to 31 here in Nairobi. Regarding the venue, I will confirm the details," said Foreign Affairs PS Karanja Kibicho on phone yesterday evening.

Reports indicate the theme of the visit will be based on the fact that "there can be no peace without development and no development without peace. Peace is not sustainable without development and vice versa".

The world eaders want to work with their regional counterparts to tackle the root of conflict and under-development.

This is the third joint UN-World Bank visit to Africa in which economic and political issues which trigger conflict in the Horn of Africa, are being discussed. The organisations are to discuss borderland issues, internally displaced persons and conflicts associated with extractive industries.

The two world bodies will also discuss cross border issues such as trade and illicit financial flows.