Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Africa-Asia cooperation in rural transformation, technology transfer, trade, and sustainable development amid growing global climate and socio economic challenges affecting rural populations.
Speaking during the inaugural opening session of the 79th Executive Committee Meeting of the African-Asian Rural Development Organisation (AARDO) in Nairobi, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development Mutahi Kagwe called for stronger collaboration among African and Asian countries to address challenges facing rural communities and accelerate sustainable development.
The meeting brought together delegates and officials from AARDO member states across Africa and Asia to deliberate on strategies for addressing emerging socio-economic challenges affecting rural populations.
In his speech read on his behalf by Agriculture Secretary Peter Owoko, Kagwe said partnerships among member states are critical in tackling food insecurity, climate change, unemployment, healthcare access gaps, and technological disparities affecting millions of people across the two continents.
“We are deeply grateful to AARDO for providing Kenya with the opportunity to host this important gathering, which reaffirms the enduring partnership between Kenya and AARDO,” said Kagwe, adding that hosting of the meeting recognizes the country’s commitment to rural transformation and international cooperation.
The CS said AARDO remains an important inter-governmental platform that allows member countries to share experiences, technologies, and innovative solutions aimed at improving rural livelihoods.
The CS said challenges facing rural communities across Africa and Asia are complex, interconnected and are intensifying with issues such as food insecurity, climate change, unemployment, limited access to healthcare, and technological disparities continue to affect millions of people
However, he noted that within these challenges lie immense opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and shared growth urging member states to strengthen collaboration and innovation to address the emerging global and economic climate challenges affecting developing economies.
According to Kagwe, technology transfer and innovation would play a critical role in transforming rural economies through precision agriculture, climate-smart farming, telemedicine, digital platforms, and industrial modernization.
“Kenya welcomes joint ventures, research collaborations, capacity-building initiatives, and public-private partnerships that foster innovation and sustainable development,” he said.
The Cabinet Secretary also acknowledged the leadership role of the Government of India within AARDO and praised the growing bilateral partnership between Kenya and India in agriculture, energy, healthcare, infrastructure, digital technology, and renewable energy.
Kagwe noted that India had continued to support Kenya through concessional financing, technical cooperation, and training opportunities for Kenyan professionals under various development programmes.
He urged AARDO member countries to strengthen both bilateral and multilateral partnerships in order to accelerate development and improve the livelihoods of rural populations.
“Rural transformation is central to inclusive development. AARDO’s initiatives in community development, capacity building, and rural infrastructure development provide valuable insights for member countries” he said, adding that by sharing successful models of rural governance and livelihood diversification, we can uplift rural communities and support rural transformation.
The CS identified agriculture and food security, rural development, healthcare, industrialization, digital transformation, tourism, renewable energy, climate adaptation, water resource management, and youth empowerment as key sectors requiring partnership.
He further highlighted Kenya’s strategic position as a gateway to East and Central Africa and invited AARDO member states to explore investment opportunities in agriculture, agro-processing, renewable energy, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, ICT, and infrastructure development.
Kagwe also reiterated Kenya’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and implementing Vision 2030 through partnerships anchored on inclusivity, sustainability, and innovation.
He commended AARDO for investing in human resource development through scholarships, professional training, and academic support programmes for member states.
He commended AARDO for supporting Kenya through professional training programmes, workshops, institutional partnerships, and knowledge-sharing initiatives that have strengthened the country’s development strategies and institutional capacity.
Kagwe noted that the exposure of Kenyan professionals to best practices across Africa and Asia had significantly contributed to the country’s progress in agriculture, rural livelihoods, and sustainable resource management.
He expressed appreciation to AARDO for its longstanding support through professional training programmes, workshops, institutional partnerships, and knowledge-sharing initiatives that have enhanced the country’s policy frameworks, human resource capacity, and rural development strategies.
On his part, Secretary Department of Rural Development, Government of Republic of India Rohit Kansal said that rural development can no long be seen in isolation. It must be resilient, adaptive and inclusive in the face of these global pressures.
Kansal who is also the President of the 79th session of the Executive Committee of AARDO said that AARDO has played an enduring role as a catalyst for cooperation, bringing together member countries to foster coordinated action, shared learning and collective progress in rural development
“We have provided a platform for Africa and Asia to engage in meaningful dialogue on common challenges, exchange knowledge, ideas and experiences in agriculture and rural transformation, and pursue joint efforts to enhance the quality of life of rural populations” he said.
He noted that through the sustained and integrated commitment of its member countries, AARDO has been instrumental in designing and implementing impactful programmes aimed at addressing the root causes of poverty, hunger, illiteracy among others thereby ensuring that the vision of inclusive development reaches even the most vulnerable and marginalized communities.
By Anita Omwenga
