China Pledges Closer Development Cooperation with Kenya Under Global Development Initiative
China has made it clear that it will continue to increase development cooperation with Kenya and other countries of the Global South through the Global Development Initiative (GDI) — an instrument that aims at shared growth, sustainable development, and providing real solutions to the most serious global problems.
While in Nairobi, the ChineseAmbassador to Kenya, Guo Haiyan, met diplomats, United Nations agencies, and government representatives, and talked about how the initiative is changing the way countries work together on development. She emphasized that the GDI is leading international cooperation to focus more on tangible projects that are people-centred and thus directly impact agriculture, healthcare, education, and climate resilience sectors.
“Development is being redefined. The new definition focuses on practical, people-centred solutions that are able to satisfy urgent community needs,” Ambassador Guo said.
The initiative’s centerpiece is the Global Development Fund, worth US$4 billion, which is a source for small, quickly achievable projects of one to five million dollars in scope. The fund is open to interventions in food security, public health, and green energy with the promotion of sustainability and inclusivity as the main factors.
Kenya has, for instance, been able to procure epidemic prevention materials during the COVID-19 pandemic, which have been distributed to thousands of communities across the country, thus benefiting from the partnership.
Government officials have expressed their support for the project by saying that it is in line with Kenya’s Vision 2030 development agenda. They, however, also pointed out the necessity of making sure that such partnerships are not only transparent and accountable but also beneficial to both parties.
The talks come at a critical time when the developing countries are facing a series of problems that are interlinked — debt distress, climate shocks, and slow economic recovery. In a number of Global South countries, the question of traditional donors has been replaced by that of turning to each other for innovative, homegrown solutions.
Officials said that the Global Development Fund has been instrumental for over 190 projects in more than 60 countries since its formation, thus it has been a significant South-South cooperation model for fair global growth.
