Amina makes a pitch for global trade at Davos fete

Foreign Affairs Secretary Amina Mohamed has called on world leaders to prioritise global trade at this year’s World Economic Forum that opens Wednesday in Davos, Switzerland.

In a statement issued by the ministry, Ms Mohamed said global trade remains the principal engine of economic growth. It should therefore be prioritised as participants seek to come up with a transformative agenda at the 10th WTO ministerial conference to be held in Nairobi in December, she said.
The forum brings together over 2,500 business, political, academic and other leaders.

“Trade has enormous potential to create employment, catalyse investments and foster growth. It should be prioritised as world leaders converge on Davos,” she said.

She noted that conflicts, terrorism and violent extremism were significantly fuelled by unemployment, poverty and inequalities in society. She called for enhanced global trade that would help generate investments and jobs.

“Africa needs investments and jobs, which are an integral part of the solution to conflicts, terrorism and extremism,” Ms Mohammed said.

The CS arrived in Davos on Friday where she joined Deputy President William Ruto, who is representing President Uhuru Kenyatta at the World Economic Forum.

She will also attend the WTO informal mini-ministerial conference as chair and host of the WTO 10th Ministerial Conference (MC10).

The mini-MC, which will be attended by trade ministers from around the world and WTO officials led by Roberto Azevêdo, will discuss the global trade agenda ahead of the MC10 in Nairobi.