Opening Statement by Stephen Karingi, Director at the 4th LAPSSET Ministerial Council Meeting

4^th LAPSSET Ministerial Council Meeting, 21 to 22 August 2024, Lamu, Kenya

OPENING STATEMENT

Stephen Karingi, Director - Regional Integration and Trade

United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)

H.E. Hon. Issa Timamy, Governor, Lamu County

Hon. Davis Chirchir, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Roads and Transport - Republic of Kenya

Hon. Dr. Alemu Sime, Minister of Transport and Logistics - Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

Hon. Madut Biar Yel, Minister of Transport - Republic of South Sudan

Hon. Ali Menza Mbogo, Board Chairperson, LAPSSET Corridor Development Authority

Excellencies

Esteemed Colleagues

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good morning,

I am honored to speak on behalf of the United Nations Under Secretary General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), H.E. Claver Gatete. The Executive Secretary is unable to join us in person today due to prior commitments on these dates of the Ministerial meeting. He extends his warmest greetings and wishes for a successful conference.

The ECA is deeply grateful to the Government and people of the Republic of Kenya for choosing to host this 4th LAPSSET Ministerial Conference at the site of this strategic economic corridor that aims to connect the three footprint countries through a network of roads, railways, pipelines, fibre cables, ports, airports and special economic zones.

Being here in Lamu brings extreme joy to me, and I believe to all of us. It is a testament to our collective vision for a connected and prosperous Africa. This transformative corridor development initiative promises to unlock immense potential for economic growth, regional integration, particularly in the context of the AfCFTA.

The progress achieved towards implementing the commitments from the last Ministerial Conference in Juba is significant and deserves to be celebrated. These include Kenya's advancement with infrastructure development and equipment at the Port of Lamu and along the corridor; South Sudan's development of frameworks for establishing the national LAPSSET coordination Agency; Ethiopia's first importation through Lamu Port; and establishment of the Joint Technical Committee which has helped to accelerate the implementation of the Juba Commitments. Indeed, these are significant milestones.

ECA is proud to be associated with these achievements which demonstrate that our support to LAPSSET over the years has yielded substantial dividends.

Excellencies

Esteemed Colleagues

As a component of the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), LAPSSET is crucial to the actualization of a connected Africa. It has also been key to the progress Africa made under the pillars of the Vienna Programme of Action, particularly in addressing the unique challenges faced by Land Locked Developing Countries through advocacy on transit policy, infrastructure development, international trade, and regional integration. As we look forward to the 3^rd Conference on the Land Locked Developing Countries that will be taking place 10 - 13 December, 2024 in Gaborone, Botswana, we can confidently say that Ethiopia, Kenya and South Sudan, are making the right investments in LLDCs context.

Allow me excellencies to leave you with these four messages.

The first is to the three countries, and which is that they should prioritize the closing of missing infrastructure links in the LAPSSET Corridor. These are substandard road sections that do not meet the standards of the Trans-African Highways (they are unpaved, or too narrow, vulnerable to adverse weather conditions, etc.). The recent floods that damaged some parts of the LAPSSET road infrastructure are a reminder that we should build the missing links or upgrade in a climate resilient way. They should also commit resources to the implementation of the LAPSSET Rail project which is a priority project of PIDA.

The second message is that the three countries should advance the priority value chains identified for development along the economic corridor with a regional lens. This will enable LAPSSET to be the anchor of a sustainable development corridor which uses the Port of Lamu as an enabler of the forward and backward integration of the three economies to the global value chains.

The third message is to the private sector and development partners. Realizing the full potential of the LAPSSET Corridor requires continued commitment, strengthened partnerships, and a focus on sustainable development. The message for them is to invest in the LAPSSET corridor because it is not only a priority PIDA project but also important for global infrastructure connectivity (connecting Africa to Asia and Europe). For instance, the EU could consider integrating the LAPSSET Corridor into its Global Gateway Initiative. LAPSSET Corridor also fits the philosophy of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) which is about global connectivity.

The fourth and final message is that Africa has good examples on development corridors. One key success factor is a good coordination mechanism. Therefore, putting in place a regional coordination framework is critical to sustaining the momentum that we are celebrating today. Let us therefore build on the work of the Joint Technical Committee, whose last two meetings have generated good ideas on a LAPSSET coordination framework, and associated institutions, and the recommendations are before the Ministers for their consideration.

Excellencies

Colleagues,

In conclusion, the ECA reaffirms its unwavering support for LAPSSET Corridor programme which represents a beacon of hope for the region. Let us recommit ourselves to this vision and take the necessary steps to ensure the full realization of LAPSSET's potential.

Thank you. I look forward to a fruitful and productive meeting.

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