SPEECH

BY

AMBASSADOR

AMINA

MOHAMED,

CABINET

SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL

TRADE, KENYA AT AMBASSADORS CONFERENCE IN PARIS,
FRANCE, AUGUST 27, 2015
I am deeply honoured that H.E. Laurent Fabius, the Minister for Foreign Affairs
and International Cooperation, invited me for exchange of views on a range of
priority issues on the global agenda. It is an important initiative you have taken for
this engagement. I would urge you to institutionalize this engagement. It would
carry benefits. So, keep it going and thank you for the leadership H.E. Laurent
Fabius.
In British literary tradition, there is the witticism, variously attributed to the famous
wit and genius of both Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw, that Britain and the
United States were divided by a common language!

In reality, their oxymoron

underscored the point still true today that, although there are differences, what
the Brits and the American had in common, outweighed their differences. This
was and remains a truthful proposition and has much wider and contemporary
application. It provides us with the broader lesson that whatever may be the
differences real or perceived they are heavily outweighed by what binds us and
holds us together. African/European engagement must be and should remain
work in progress! I am still working on my other European language skills!
France has contributed hugely, valuably and almost incomparably to history and
civilization: from des droits de l'homme (human rights), to Marie Curie and so many
others in science, to innovation, technology, law, literature and the arts. And in
our field of diplomacy, the classical, oldest and starting reference for the training of
any diplomat in any serious diplomatic institute Francophone or Anglophone remains the 1716 classic by the French Diplomat Franois de Caillires, "De la
manire de ngocier avec les souverains" ("The Practice of Diplomacy").
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Franois de Caillires's advice to diplomats almost 300 years ago remains relevant
in the 21st Century that, "Individual diplomats must have the capacity for reason and
persuasion, wide-spread understanding and knowledge, and above all a correct and piercing
discernment". We have gained a lot from French diplomacy which is why I am
particularly pleased to be here today with you.
A cardinal message I bring to this gathering of illustrious and accomplished
diplomats, is that regardless of the differences in language and perspectives, we are
inextricably bound by professional and policy commitments to the use of
negotiation as a tool of diplomacy to resolve international disputes. We share the
same values and are committed to foster the strategic goals of international
cooperation for peace, security and global order, sustainable development and
poverty reduction, good governance, transparency, the rule of law and, respect for
all human rights.

To these strategic goals, I would add the urgency in

strengthening multilateralism; and, a concerted and decisive global response to the

ever-growing danger of the evil of terrorism.
Although there is no shortage of questions to address, let me focus on a few
questions! We live in an age of "breaking news". We lurch from crisis to crisis.
We appear to be hostage to events. But we are gathered here as diplomats,
committed to international cooperation and bound by the practice of our
profession, to resolve problems through negotiated settlements.
The Global Economy and Strengthening Multilateralism
Global and world economic outlook is weak, fragile and uncertain. The Bretton
Woods Institutions estimate that growth in 2015 would hover about 3 per cent,
marginally lower than in 2014. Regional and individual country forecasts vary. In
some growth is much weaker. Others are teetering on recession. Some are in
recession. Although African economies, in recent times, are posting better than

ever strong and rapid growth, there is scope for much deeper, faster and balanced
growth. And concerns for recovery and stable growth in the global economy are
real. (Revisions to growth are projected to be downward.) A combined range of
factors are in play. These include lower commodity prices, volatile markets, tighter
external financial conditions, slowdown in domestic reforms in key economies,
structural bottlenecks, and relative economic slow-down underway in China that is
seeking to re-balance its domestic economy. There are also geopolitical factors,
which carry unintended consequences in an interdependent global economy.
Deeper

and

sustained

international

cooperation

for

development

and

strengthening multilateralism will contribute to stronger and more stable growth

and sustainable development. Although we urgently seek faster, stronger growth,
growth nonetheless must be clean, to reduce the risk and the burden to the
environment. We must adopt specific measures to reverse climate change, which
is undermining the capacity of the ecosystem to carry our civilization. There are
specific things that can be done.
From 30 November to 11 December 2015, the city of Paris will host a vitally
important International Conference on the environmental sustainability of our
planet earth. We must draw from the lessons of the past from Copenhagen in
particular to ensure the success of the twenty-first session of the Conference of
the Parties (COP) and the eleventh session of the Conference of the Parties
serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP). There are
several key lessons from the past. First, failure is not an option. Second, we
should work, multilaterally, without finger-pointing and the apportioning of blame,
to expand the constituencies that are decisive if we are to succeed on climate
change measures. These are the constituencies for development, security and
health.

Finally, outcomes cannot be rhetorical.

They must be concrete and

meaningful. The test shall be on real measures to reduce carbon emissions, adapt
and adopt technology for environmental-friendliness and provide significant
3

funding. On the latter, the Government of France has set an excellent example
with its pledge for funding.
A few days later after Paris, from 15 to 18 December, the City of Nairobi will host
the Tenth WTO Ministerial Conference in Nairobi, Kenya the first ever to be
hosted in Africa. As with Paris, failure in Nairobi is not an option. A successful
MC10 is linked to the strengthening the WTO, as the unique rules-based
Multilateral Trading System which has been a source of growth in the global
economy for the past 68 years from 1947 to 2015. Multilateral trade opening,
anchored in the WTO, is a key source of predictability, stability and hence recovery
and growth in the global economy. The outcomes we seek for Nairobi is a
meaningful, balanced package that provides a win-win for all WTO Members rich,
emerging and developing, vulnerable and low income. We require strengthened
rules for agriculture and non-agricultural market access, improved trade opening in
services.

The package should include positive outcomes in the negotiations

underway for an agreement on environmental goods and services, a development

package for LDCs and a harvest on accessions, where significant gains have been
made at the WTO in the recent past.

Positive outcomes on the trade and

development policy aspects of cotton are important for Africa and the LDCs. We
require progress and a solution on questions relating to food security for
concerned members.
The Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) was a milestone agreement for the WTO.
We would like to establish the two thirds ratification of the TFA by WTO
Members that would bring it into by December. This is pressing. We are also
pressing for enough ratifications to bring into force the Amendment to the TRIPS
Agreement. In July, an agreement was reached amongst a core group of Members
to expand the coverage of the Information Technology Agreement. The formal
approval of ITA 2 and its coming into force would inject growth impetus into the
global economy. It would be good for all.
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A core lesson of which we are all now aware is that progress in multilateralism will
be made in different formats and configuration. Sometimes, it will be multilateral
and sometimes plurilateral. The path for progress is not a one-way street, neither
can it be rigid. Multilateralism can accommodate plurilateralism.
Progress in trade liberalization does not proceed through big-bangs, but
moderately, incrementally, based on what the market can bear. The environment
of trade negotiations is infinitely more complex than in the past. There are more
WTO Members (161 at current count). And there are more issues. They are more
technically complex.

Trade negotiators hedge their bets, affected by market

volatility, financial and economic crises and the swing of politics.

National leadership in many countries is yet to decisively face down vested
protectionist interests in all our domains.

This negotiating environment is

negatively affected by geopolitical turbulence and compounded by real time

opinions in the media, civil society and electoral cycles. Trade negotiations are no
longer as classical as they used to be. They are tougher much tougher! In spite,
of all, we the Africans have undertaken a self-binding commitment to do all that is
possible for the Tenth WTO Ministerial Conference to succeed.
As Minister, I ask you Ambassadors to work with us to ensure the success of the
Nairobi MC10. I urge you all in your various roles and capacities to work hard and
champion the success of these two conferences. Achieving successful outcomes at
these

two

inter-related

conferences

are

indispensable

to strengthening

multilateralism, tackling climate change and ensuring that trade contributes to

global economic recovery and works for development. Success will contribute to
our collective efforts to "modernize multilateralism", to borrow from the
expression of Robert Zoellick. Modernizing multilateralism should be a strategic
objective of 21st Century Diplomacy.

Post-2015 Development Agenda

The contribution of the Post-2015 Development to the unfinished business of the
eradication of poverty and hunger, education, gender equality, health, etc, will be
considerable.

The agenda is a massive undertaking by the international

community. Negotiating efforts have been justly directed at expected outcomes

for implementation. These revolve around: financing for sustainable development,
technology transfer, trade, climate change and disaster risk reduction. A new
framework should be agreed in New York next month. This will succeed the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) when they expire at the end of 2015.
We should direct our energies to support the Post-2015 implementation agenda. It
is an agenda for transformation to achieve sustainable development. We are proud
together with others to have reached an agreement.
Terrorism
Just last week, here in France, tragedy was averted on the train travelling from
Amsterdam to Paris, by the bravery of individuals from the United States, United
Kingdom and France. Before that it was the courage of a young Malian in a Jewish
Department store also here in France to give protection to fellow human beings.
All across, there are growing stories of multinational individual acts of bravery.
Kenya has been subjected to repeated acts of terror. We are confident that we
shall prevail, without question. Every day, there are murderous, mindless acts by
groups and individuals lost, with neither a purpose for progress, nor an agenda to
build, improve and develop. Their agenda is terror and evil: to blind, amputate,
behead, lapidate and turn back the progress of civilization. We shall not allow
them. But we have work to do. We in Governments need to cooperate better:
through developing standardized security protocols for shared intelligence. We
have to improve exchange of intelligence based on shared security protocols and
trust ourselves better. Yet we are well aware that this is an area where international
6

cooperation has to be better designed, tailored to fit and sustained. There is

urgency to collective global action to tackle head on the ever-growing danger of
the evil of terrorism.

This is not a fight for one, or two, three or four, or 5. This

is a fight for all. It is a collective fight by all sects, religions, governments and
individuals, who share the same values for the liberties, of freedom, of worship,
association, creed, speech and equality of gender. This is a fight by all that is good
against all that is bad! Perhaps, it is overdue for professional diplomats like us to
try again to design an International Convention against Terrorism. This must not
be about politics and must not be undermined by geopolitics.
Immigration
There is a global immigration crisis. It is epitomised by the flow of migrants from
failed states, collapsed systems of governance, and territories with a multiplicity of
warring bands and atomized societies. Europe and Africa are confronted by and
share this burden. Current figures suggest that, not since World War II has the
world had to deal with such human flows as we are currently witnessing. Beyond
the root causes which must be addressed of domestic conflicts, militarism, failed
governance systems and corruption, the failure of elites in many of our countries,
we must look to the solutions. Because the problems and challenges are crossborder, the solutions must be found, collectively, based on a clear framework for
international cooperation. There are duties for all, particularly in Africa, in the
Middle East and in Europe. The solutions will never lie in walls that "keep out,
restrict or enclose", or navies that dissuade or deter. These are nervous, shortsighted reactions that will fail. To the contrary, these will magnify the problem by
creating hatred, disenchantment, recrimination, mistrust and discord and provide
cover for protectionism. These will undermine international cooperation with
negative effects in other areas such as cooperation for trade, security and an open,
healthy global economy.

Solutions must of necessity be cooperative and

multilateral in accord with the core values of an interdependent global economy

for non-discrimination, non-refoulement and a common humanity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is obvious that the age in which we live is riddled with challenges,
some of which I have reviewed. Yet, it is also true that it is an age abundant with
promise, hope and concrete progress such as the innovations in science and
technology, medicine and social indicators.

Mortality rates are lower.

Life

expectancy is higher. Progress has been made in education. School registration is

increasing. In spite of the continuing distress caused by infant and maternal
mortality, the figures are improving for the better. As we look to the adoption of
the Post-MDGs and to deeper and better implementation, performance
assessment of the MDGs indicates progress, including on poverty reduction and
hunger.

But all around, across all these subjects and the ever-proliferating

challenges, there is still much more to be done.

The chances of success will stand on multilateralism and international cooperation
in promoting the accepted shared values for the market economy, good
governance, open, transparent and "clean governments", based on the rule of law.
Trade must work for the poor. Trade barriers, particularly in agriculture must
come down. Protectionism must be kept at bay. Regional and global value chains
must be strengthened. Domestically, we must pursue economic and legal reforms,
as well as structural reforms so as to strengthen the national, regional and global
institutions that will shelter us from the storms of multiple and repeated crises
when they come.
Thank you for the honour for asking me to give you my views.