More than 7,000 delegates will come to Nairobi to attend the 14th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) that will be held on 17-22 July.
The number of delegates set to attend the conference was revealed Tuesday when President Uhuru Kenyatta held a meeting with UNCTAD Secretary General, Mukhisa Kituyi, at State House Nairobi.
Dr Kituyi said the conference will be attended by many Heads of States, and will consist of a ministerial conference, a youth forum and the 4th World Investment Forum.
The UNCTAD boss said Kenya stands to gain from the conference will be attended by the biggest investors in the world and mayors of all major cities.
He said several Heads of State and government have already confirmed attendance while 50 countries have already sponsored youth to attend the conference.
President Kenyatta said the government will ensure the visitors have a smooth stay in Nairobi and called for more meetings between the government and UNCTAD as the conference day nears.
“The success of the conference is important for our country and Africa as a whole. It will have a lasting impact on the future of the economy,” said the President.
Mr Kituyi thanked the government for hosting the conference, adding that the United Nations was pleased with the preparations for the conference.
He said in most cases, other countries used to get a four year period to prepare but Kenya has taken only a year.
Mr Kituyi also announced that UNCTAD will support the government capacity building for women entrepreneurs.
He said the organisation will put up a center where women entrepreneurs can be given a training of trainers course to guide others in business.
President Kenyatta said the UNCTAD project will be linked with the Uwezo Fund to ensure women who take government funds have the capacity to run their businesses.
Kenya recently hosted the 10th World Trade Organisation Ministerial meeting and the Ease of Doing Business Initiative Conference (EDBI).
The country will also host the second United Nations Environmental Assembly from 23-27 May. The UNEA will be attended by close to 2000 delegates.