UN chief thanks Uhuru Kenyatta for Kenya's 'hospitality' toward refugees

This photo taken on July 31, 2011, shows Somali refugees walking in the new Ifo-extension at the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya, the largest refugee camp in the world. AFP PHOTO | TONY KARUMBA

What you need to know:

  • The UN Secretary-General also sought President Kenyatta's views on the Igad-led peace talks on South Sudan, the UN statement added.
  • More than 550,000 refugees and asylum seekers — mostly from Somalia — are currently housed in the Dadaab and Kakuma camps in Kenya, according to the UN

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon thanked President Kenyatta on Friday for Kenya's hospitality towards refugees.

The two leaders met on the sidelines of the African Union summit in Addis Ababa.

"They discussed the security challenges facing the country and the situation in Somalia," according to the UN's account of the talks.

The secretary-general also sought President Kenyatta's views on the Igad-led peace talks on South Sudan, the UN statement added.

Mr Ban "commended Kenya for its hospitality and its pivotal role in providing humanitarian assistance to thousands of refugees," the meeting summary stated.

OPEN-DOOR POLICY

The UN chief is also said to have encouraged the Kenya government to "maintain its open-door policy toward refugees."

More than 550,000 refugees and asylum seekers — mostly from Somalia — are currently housed in the Dadaab and Kakuma camps in Kenya, according to the UN. The Dadaab complex holds the world's largest concentration of refugees.

Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ban discussed climate change as well, the UN said.

The secretary-general has been meeting with several of the African leaders taking part in the AU summit in Addis Ababa.