President Uhuru Kenya Kenyatta has called for equitable access and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in undertaking measures to rebuild the global economy.
This follows the economic shocks caused by the pandemic across the world.
Addressing world leaders during the General Debate of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly September 22, 2021, President Uhuru Kenyatta noted that the asymmetry in the supply of vaccines reflects a multilateral system that is in urgent need for repair.
“To rebuild successfully requires a worldwide response in confidence and investment to enable production and consumption to bounce back to pre-pandemic levels. The surest way to building that confidence is by making vaccines available to the world, in an equitable and accessible manner. That, sadly, is currently not the case,” said President Kenyatta.
The Head of State has urged for concerted, structural changes that should enable a quantum increase in investment and technology transfers not as charity, but instead driven by enlightened self-interest and solidarity in building back better.
On climate change, the President assured world leaders that Kenya was ready to become a leading green industry country.
This, according to Kenyatta, will deliver jobs and shared prosperity, which will win the support of the young generation and intensify the drive towards climate change action.
President Kenyatta also cheered Kenyan youth as a well-educated, and productive population that has managed to build one of the most vibrant mixed economies in Africa.
“We are implementing ambitious programmes to prepare the country to produce decent and rewarding jobs. Our investments in roads, air and port infrastructure, and critical health care facilities throughout the country, are the most extensive and ambitious in our history.”
He also lauded his administration for its focus in addressing Kenyan needs targeting 3.3 million vulnerable households.
This has achieved a 50 percent reduction in the number of food insecure Kenyans.
Kenya is set to attain a 27 percent reduction in malnutrition among children under 5 years of age, create 1,000 agro-processing SMEs and 600,000 new jobs by the end of 2022.
The country has recorded a 48% increase in agriculture sector contribution.
In building resilience through hope to recover from COVID-19, the President called on World leaders to align global conflict resolution tools to the strategic shift in threats to regional and international peace and security.
