Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister, the Hon. Gaston Browne and newly elected President of the Republic of Kenya, HE Dr. William Suto have pledged to continue strengthening and deepening bilateral relations.
Both leaders held discussion on the margins of the General Debate of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) here in New York. Antigua and Barbuda and the Republic of Kenya formally established diplomatic relations this year at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Rwanda in June.
Prime Minister Browne extended heartiest congratulations to President Suto, who was recently sworn in as the fifth President of the Republic of Kenya earlier this month and expressed his government’s vision to work with Kenya to advance the interest of sustainable development, trade, peace and prosperity for both peoples.
Antigua and Barbuda and the Republic of Kenya currently enjoy close working relations at the multilateral level, with both countries currently co-chairing the Sustainable Blue Economy Action Group within the Commonwealth. Both Heads of Government also participated in the inaugural Africa-CARICOM Summit on 7th September 2021 under the theme, “Unity across continents and oceans: opportunities for deepening integration.
In June 2022, CARICOM established an Embassy in Nairobi which was led by the Government of Barbados. On this note, President Suto reiterated his offer to Prime Minister Browne for Antigua and Barbuda to establish an Embassy in Kenya. “The establishment of an Embassy would also solidify trade and economic ties between the two countries,” he said.
Prime Minister Browne said that his government will favourably explore the establishment of an Embassy in Kenya and initiated discussions on the possibility of direct airlift between Africa (Kenya) and Antigua and Barbuda.
Prime Minister Browne was accompanied by the Hon. Daryl Matthew, Minister for Education and Sports, and Mr. Tumasie Blair, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Nations in New York. (Ends)