Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya,
The President of United Cities and Local Government of Africa,
Distinguished Regional Governors and Mayors.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Thank you, President Uhuru Kenyatta and Dear Brother, for inviting me to this auspicious official opening of the 9th summit of Afri-Cities, held in this magnificent intermediary city of Kisumu. I would like to congratulate the United Cities and Local Government of Africa, the Government of the Republic of Kenya, Governors of Kenya and the Kisumu County Government for the unprecedented organization of the summit and the warm hospitality extended to us.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The African Union embraces the theme of the 9th Summit of Afri-cities of “The Role of Intermediary Cities in the Implementation of Agenda 2030 of the United Nations and Agenda 2063 of the African Union”. Intermediary cities have become a renewed subject of interest for governments, international organizations, and academics.
Intermediary Cities are growing fast and have the greatest potential to shape the urban future and yet they are often overlooked. Much attention has been paid to capital cities which are the political, social and economic centers of a country. As a result, our economies fail to realize the benefits that a more balanced spatial development and inter-city collaboration can generate.
The growth of intermediary cities implies an increase in wealth, inequalities, need for housing, infrastructure and urban services, pollution, need for decent jobs, increased waste production and therefore their role needs to be clarified. If left alone to manage themselves without a clear role, cities will manifest into chaotic development. Cities have their unique challenges and potentials therefore clarification of their role should take into consideration their peculiarities.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am particularly pleased to see that the Summit has chosen the theme linking the Global UN Agenda to Africa’s Agenda as a template of how to think global while acting locally to African aspirations and distinct cultural realities.
Africa, like the rest of the world, has committed itself to the implementation of the United Nations Agenda and the New Urban Agenda. Furthermore, the Continent’s Agenda outlines not only our Aspirations for the future but also identifies key flagship Programmes which can boost Africa's economic growth and development and lead to the rapid transformation of the continent.
The three agendas have powerfully captured the role of cities and they envision cities that fulfil their social, economic, ecological and political function in an inclusive manner.
At the continental level, the African Union has developed a Regional Framework for the Implementation of the New Urban Agenda.
The AU has developed also the African Charter on values and principles of decentralisation, local governance and local development to facilitate implementation of decentralization which remains a challenge in many countries.
These instruments serve as a sound foundation for guiding the development of our cities as well as clarifying your roles as local authorities in intermediary cities. With your experience and key role as mayors and governors, it is now up to you to make sure that these valuable tools become an integral part of your urban management to ensure the decentralization and urbanization we want.
As you deliberate here on the shores of Lake Victoria, which is both a trade route, transnational water highway for cities beyond Kisumu, it is also a reminder of the impacts of climate change on our lives and livelihoods.
I also want to remind you that regional integration is a fundamental objective of Agenda 2063.
The African Free Trade Area Agreement can be seen in action here in Kisumu, a vibrant city that trades with neighbouring counties and countries, facilitating the free movement of goods and people, for the shared prosperity far beyond the shores of Lake Victoria.
May solidarity remain the engine that drives the African city experience, that of community and cooperation.
As I conclude, it is my hope that as you share experiences and take stock of how local governments, policy makers and citizens are working together to meet these aspirations, that they remain underpinned by the principle of African solidarity that we brought with us from our villages.
It is my appeal therefore to you Honorable Ministers, mayors and Senior Government officials to prioritize the signing and ratification of the Charter on the Principles of Decentralization and local Governance and that of Public Service and Administration.
I wish you fruitful deliberations and thank you for your kind attention. Merci! Asante! Ero-Ko-Mano!
