President Kenyatta unveils logo and website for 10th WTO Ministerial Conference

President Uhuru Kenyatta this week launched the 10th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference website at State House, Nairobi.

President Kenyatta announced the launch through his Twitter handle on Tuesday this week, notifying the public that he had also launched the event’s logo.

“I launched the Tenth World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference #MC10 logo and registration website” the tweet read.

The launch which kicked off preparations for the WTO Conference that will be hosted by Kenya from 15th to 18th December this year – took place simultaneously with a similar ceremony by the WTO General Council in Geneva, Switzerland.

The launch was attended by Attorney General Githu Muiga, Cabinet Secretaries Fred Matiang’i (Information, Communication and Technology), Adan Mohamed (Industrialization and Enterprises Development) and James Macharia (Health) among other senior Government officials and stakeholders

Director-General Roberto Azevêdo at a General Council meeting on 5 May launched the logo for the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference, noting that the logo was being launched simultaneously by the Kenyan government in Nairobi. He expressed the hope that: “each time we see this logo, it will remind us of the many people in Africa, and all over the world, who are counting on us to deliver substantive outcomes in Nairobi which will support much-needed global growth and development”.

The General Council, on 10 December, agreed that the 10th Ministerial Conference be held in Nairobi, Kenya from 15 to 18 December 2015.

The chair, Ambassador Jonathan Fried, warmly thanked and congratulated Foreign Minister Amina Mohamed and the Government of Kenya for their successful offer.

He noted that he had previously informed delegations of Turkey’s decision to withdraw its offer to host the Conference in favour of Kenya, and thanked Turkey for its constructive spirit during the whole process.

“At the General Council meeting in October, I reported that a third round of consultations was taking place to ascertain Members’ views with respect to the two potential hosts for the Conference — Turkey and Kenya.” Ambassador Fried said.

“A total of 94 delegations came forward to consult with me or express their views, either in person, or by phone, or through note verbales. Let me add that my understanding is that those delegations that did not express a view are neutral and I have ascertained that this is the case.” He continued.

“On Wednesday last  week, I circulated — at the request of Turkey — a communication to all Members, in which the Government of Turkey informed the membership — after relevant consultations with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Kenya — of Turkey’s decision to withdraw its offer to host MC10 in favour of Kenya. This communication was also circulated as WT/GC/166 in the three WTO languages,” he added.