Kenya was one of the African countries participating in the first Global African Diaspora Summit held in Sandton, South Africa, from 23 to 25 May 2012. The meeting was attended by Heads of States and representatives of Member States of the African Union, Caribbean, as well as South and Latin America.

Prof Sam Ongeri at the Diaspora Summit.

The more than 10-strong Kenyan delegation was led by Hon. Prof. Samson Ongeri, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya and comprised of Amb. Monica Juma, the Permanent Representative to the African Union, Ambassador Tom Amollo, High Commissioner of Kenya to South Africa, Ambassador Michael Oyugi Director, Africa and AU Directorate and Maurice Okoth, Head Diaspora sections, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya, among others.

Among those to address the summit included President Zuma of South Africa, H.E Jean Ping, Chairperson of the AU Commission,

The outcome of the summit was a political declaration that embodied vision, purpose and objectives of the summit as well as a programme of action, a follow-up mechanism for the five legacy projects that aimed to give immediate, urgent and practical meaning to the Declaration. The projects include establishing an African remittance institute, an investment fund and a skills database for African professionals in the Diaspora.

For more details click http://www.au.int/en/summit/19th summit