Designated Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya to the Republic of Indonesia, H.E Galma Boru, our Guest of Honor tonight, Excellencies colleagues Ambassadors,
Distinguished guests
Mandugu na Madada
Good afternoon,
Habari ya jioni na karibuni sana.
My wife and I are very pleased to welcome you all to the Diplomatic Reception in Commemorating the 77th Anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence, being the first Reception that we hold after two years of absence due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Excellencies,
Indonesia and Kenya’s relations have gone along way dating back
from the Asian-African Conference in Bandung, Indonesia on April, 1955.
Our bilateral cooperation was further strengthened by the establishment of the diplomatic relations in 1979, followed by the opening of the Embassy of Indonesia in beautiful Nairobi, in 1982.
Fast forward to 2022, Kenya and Indonesia are flourishing.
Congratulations
to the people of Kenya for the successful election and the new administration under the leadership of H.E. President Dr. William Samoei Ruto. Furthermore, I wish to note the active role of Kenya as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council 2021-2022.
Indonesia is currently holding the presidency of G20 for 2022. Next
year, we will hold the chairmanship of ASEAN and MIKTA.
Excellencies,
This year also marks a significant milestone on Indonesia-Kenya
bilateral relations. We witnessed the opening of the Embassy of Kenya in Jakarta on 17 March 2022, during which the two countries also signed 7 (seven) MOUs in various sectors. It is no doubt a momentous occasion to bring our two countries and peoples much closer.
In the field of economy, our two countries enjoy vibrant trade relations. I would like to take this opportunity to invite business people from Kenya to participate in the 37th Trade Expo Indonesia, on 19-23 October in Jakarta. The Embassy also places high importance on weaving social fabric between our two peoples, including through engagement with youth, students, and civil society.
In the multilateral arena, Indonesia and Kenya are both very active in the environmental issue, and in the human settlement agenda. We appreciate Kenya for its continuous support to UNON as the only UN Headquarters in the Global South.
Excellencies,
From this vantage point, we believe that our future is bright. We need to be visionary to further forge our existing cordial and productive relations.
In this regard, I would like to raise three points as follows:
• First, we need to work hard on promoting economic bilateral
cooperation, including establishing the Indonesia-Kenya Preferential Trade Arrangement
• Second, forging stronger people-to-people contact.
• Third, we want Indonesia and Kenya to be co-champions in the global environment issues and human settlement agenda.
Excellencies,
To indulge your presence here, we will also enjoy a series of
Indonesian cultural presentations, traditional dances and Angklung music performed both by Kenyan talented youths, collaborating with Indonesian catholic sisters who have been serving in Kenya for decades.
Let me stop here by once again appreciating everyone here for
coming. Enjoy the rest of your evening. Nawatakia jioni njema.
Asanteni sana. Terima kasih.
Thank you so much.