Kenya set to host EAC October forum

Kenya has been selected to host the second East African Community (EAC) Secretary General’s Forum in October.

This was among issues deliberated during the three-day meeting of experts on the implementation of the consultative dialogue framework for the private sector, civil society and other interest groups in the EAC integration process held in Kampala.

The meeting also picked this year’s theme: "The EAC we want. Focusing on the Quick Wins," according to a press statement.

The first EAC-SG forum was held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania last weekend.

The forum is meant to provide a platform for regular dialogue between the EAC Secretary General and the private sector and civil society on how to improve the EAC integration process.

The experts also deliberated on the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the National and Regional Dialogue Committees and considered the draft Rules of Procedure for the EAC-SG Forum.

"The main objective of the Forum is to allow selected stakeholders and the EAC to consult and work towards realising the Community’s objectives and promote a people-centred integration process," said Mary Makoffu, EAC Director of Social Sectors.

She said the Regional Dialogue Committee for the 2nd EAC-SG Forum would meet in September to put final touches to the Nairobi conference.

In her opening remarks, the chairperson of the meeting Ronah Serwadda, a commissioner in the Uganda EAC Ministry, said that the annual SG’s forum was crucial in the deepening of regional integration.

"It enables stakeholders to hold direct dialogue with the EAC Chief Executive in pushing ahead our regional agenda,’’ she told the experts from the Partner States.

The meeting, which was facilitated by the German International Development Agency (GIZ), was attended by Partner States representatives for EAC Affairs, private sector and civil society organisations and the EAC Secretariat.