The 1st Conference of Kenya Honorary Consuls was successfully held in Nairobi

The Honorary Consul of Kenya in Hellenic Republic, Mrs. Vicky Pantazopoulou participated to the First Conference for Kenya’s Honorary Consuls, which was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under the theme ‘New Dimensions in Kenya’s Diplomacy: the role of Kenya’s Honorary Consuls’.

The conference was held at premier Nairobi Hotel for nine days from 5th to 13th June 2010.

The conference brought together Honorary Consuls serving Kenya’s interests abroad to appraise them of Kenya’s Foreign policy objectives and priorities. The Honorary Consuls will also have an opportunity to interact with key government decision makers to gain a better understanding of Kenya’s national vision as outlined in the country’s blue print , Vision 2030, as well as the challenges it faces in transforming itself to achieve its long term goals and objectives.

H.E. the Vice-President, Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka, in his opening speech said that the conference marks an historic moment in Kenya’s diplomacy and noted that while Kenya’s Ambassadors and High Commissioners met periodically to deliberate on the country’s Foreign Policy objectives, this is the first time Kenya’s Honorary Consuls are meeting together under the same roof. He thanked the consuls for their good work and encouraged them to use the conference to voice their opinions, proposals and criticisms to strengthen their capacity to represent Kenya’s interest in their respective stations.

Speaking at the meeting, Foreign Affairs minister, Hon. Moses Wetang’ula said the government recognizes the important role played by the Honorary Consuls in forging closer cooperation between Kenya and their host countries. He said the conference presents an opportunity for exchanging ideas on how to strengthen ties with countries where Kenya has limited or no representation and explore new areas and ways of cooperation.

The Honorary Consuls who also attended the conference include Mr. Ali Muzahem Bajaber, Honorary Consul, Casablanca, Morocco, Mr. George Imbenzi (Canada), Mr. Rana Shafiullah (Dhaka, Bangladesh), Ramavtar A. Goenka (State of Maharashtra, Mumbai, India). Others are Mr. Jens Peter Breitengros ( Hamburg, Germany), Mr. Ivaylo Dermendjiev ( Republic of Bulgaria), Mr. Bilal Alkoc (Turkey), Mr. Amjad Musa(Jordan), Dr. Abdollahi Sarfaraz ( Iran , Shiraz, Fars Province), Sayed El Chalouhi (Lebanon), Mr. Amrithal Shah( Perth, Australia, Mr. Neal Chandaria (City of Singapore, Singapore) and Mr. Sartor Fiorenzo (Treviso, Italy).