Chamber President & Chairman of the ICGLR Private Sector Forum Mr. Richard Ngatia  hosted the Executive Secretary of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) H.E. Ambassador João Samuel Caholo for a luncheon and courtesy visit at Serena Hotel, Nairobi. The Ambassador is in Nairobi on official duty.

The discussions addressed the role of the private sector in strengthening peace and security in a region coupled with conflict and instability. Noting that many conflicts in the region are driven by poverty and economic factors, Amb. João emphasized on the mandates of chambers of commerce in driving economic empowerment solutions for sustainable livelihoods. Amb. João is also keen to pursue political mediation and active diplomacy to resolve ongoing conflicts in the Great Lakes Region.

Mr. Ngatia was accompanied by EACCIA CEO & Advisor to the Private Sector Forum Mr. Charles Kahuthu Also present were KNCCI Director for Economic Diplomacy Mr. Kariuki Theuri and KNCCI Director for Youth Enterprises Mr. Paul Muchiri and Ms. Liz Guantai from the secretariat.

About ICGLR

The ICGLR is an inter-governmental organization established to integrate regional efforts to promote sustainable peace and development in the Great Lakes Region. It has its headquarters in Bujumbura, Burundi.

The 12 member states are: Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Republic of South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Zambia.

Amb. João Samuel CAHOLO, an Angolan national was appointed as ICGLR Executive Secretary via a virtual Heads of State Summit held on 20th November 2020.