Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to people-centered and inclusive development as senior officials, diplomats, and experts gathered in Nairobi on Thursday for a seminar focused on the Global Development Initiative (GDI). The event, hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, brought together stakeholders from government, international organizations, academia, and the private sector to explore how the GDI can support fair, sustainable, and green growth in developing nations.
Kenyan Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said the country strongly supports the GDI and its emphasis on advancing shared development goals. His remarks were delivered on his behalf by Lucy Kiruthu, deputy director-general for political and diplomatic affairs at the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs.
Mudavadi said the initiative’s vision aligns closely with Kenya’s long-term development priorities and its commitment to the United Nations’ Agenda 2030. He highlighted that the GDI provides an important platform for countries to exchange ideas, coordinate efforts, and work collectively on challenges affecting developing economies. According to him, the approach helps ensure that development remains inclusive and responsive to local realities.
He added that the GDI encourages countries to identify development priorities based on their evolving needs. For Kenya and many other developing nations, these priorities include improving access to healthcare, education, clean water, sanitation, and modern agricultural systems. Mudavadi emphasized that focusing on these sectors is essential for lifting communities out of poverty and strengthening long-term resilience.
Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan said the world is experiencing growing uncertainties, making consensus-building and cooperation more important than ever. She described the GDI as a global public good that reinforces the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and enhances cooperation among countries of the Global South.
Guo said the initiative promotes balanced development and calls for fair access to opportunities and outcomes across nations, regardless of their size or economic standing. She noted that the GDI’s inclusive structure enables countries to learn from one another and jointly address issues such as inequality, climate pressures, and technology gaps.
United Nations Resident Coordinator for Kenya Stephen Jackson echoed this view, calling the GDI a timely response to several global crises. He said the initiative provides tools to confront challenges including climate change, food insecurity, geopolitical tensions, and the widening digital divide.
Jackson added that the GDI aligns closely with the UN’s core priorities, particularly poverty reduction, food security, climate action, and equitable growth. He praised the initiative for placing people at the center of development and modernization efforts.
