‘To the great people of Kenya.’
These are the exact words President Uhuru Kenyatta when he received a special award from The African Union Commission (AUC) on Tuesday evening.
The award was in recognition of his role in hosting the world’s first blue economy conference.
The summit has been taking place at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi since November 26 and will end on Wednesday.
President Kenyatta was honoured for mobilising and bringing the world together for a successful and historic conference, which at least 18,000 delegates from 170 countries have attended.
I am honored to have received an award from the AU Commission over the successful hosting of the world’s first Sustainable Blue Economy Conference @AUC_MoussaFaki @WilliamsRuto @RailaOdinga | #BlueEconomyKE pic.twitter.com/tb9pBlJtxo
— Uhuru Kenyatta (@UKenyatta) November 27, 2018
While presenting the award, AUC chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat commended Mr Kenyatta for taking the lead role in driving Africa’s blue economy agenda and ensuring the continent harnesses its rightful share of marine resources.
President Kenyatta said Kenya is proud to push a global agenda to ensure Africa benefits from the expansive and highly lucrative blue economy.
For many years, the head of State said, the continent’s blue economy resources have been exploited by others so it is time for Africans to come together and make use of what is left.
“Africa has not benefitted from this depleting resource,” he said while accepting the award during a banquet hosted by the AUC in honour of the heads of State and government as well as delegates attending the conference,
“The continent needs to come together to exploit the remaining resources for its benefit and that of the future of mankind.”
President Kenya said the government will continue working closely with the African Union for a successful blue economy agenda.