Kenya, Korea to foster Parliamentary relations

Kenya and Korea have maintained a longstanding and friendly bilateral relationship.

Over the years, the Parliament of Kenya has actively engaged in various collaborative initiatives with the Korean Parliament leading to the establishment of the Kenya-Korea Parliamentary Friendship Group.

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Gladys Boss met the Speaker of the National Assembly of Korea on behalf of Speaker Moses Wetang'ula.

Boss expressed gratitude for Korea's instrumental role in driving progressive development.

She said she was pleased that the two countries had maintained a close collaboration at the multilateral level, including within the United Nations and other international organizations.

"I'm pleased by the central role that parliaments worldwide play in shaping their countries' development agendas by prioritising key legislations aimed at bringing about positive change, this should be encouraged," Shollei said.

She highlighted the existing parliamentary friendship group between the two nations and called for the visit to serve as a catalyst for initiating exchange programmes that would mutually benefit both countries.

"I would like to acknowledge the various development and humanitarian programmes run by both countries, including a scouting initiative involving members from both Houses of Parliament, actively engaged in community programmes that have a meaningful impact on society," she said.

The Speaker of the National Assembly of Korea Kim Jin-Pyo, expressed his appreciation for the warm reception.

He affirmed Africa's great potential for self-reliance due to its abundant natural resources and human capital for economic growth.

"Africa is rising to become a global centre and the continent needs to realise its potential. Our two countries share cordial relations, which can be further strengthened through parliamentary collaboration," Speaker Kim Jin-Pyo said.

Kim Jin-Pyo is currently on a duty tour in Kenya to attend the ongoing conference on Korea-Kenya Partnerships (KOAFP) in Nairobi.

"I would like to extend an invitation for Kenya to participate in the upcoming Korea-Africa Summit scheduled for June 2024, providing an excellent platform for Kenya to showcase its potential in trade, manufacturing, agriculture and other sectors to the global market," he said.

Both leaders agreed to enhance collaborations in trade and investment, education through scholarships, student exchange programmes and technical exchange programmes in areas like science to facilitate research aimed at mitigating the global menace of climate change.