Kenya is set to co-host the 5th International Conference on the Safe Schools Declaration (SSD) in December 2025, Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced.
The global event, aimed at promoting the protection of education in conflict zones, will be co-organized with the Kingdom of Norway.
Speaking after a high-level meeting with Norway’s State Secretary for International Development, Ms. Stine Renate Haheim, Murkomen confirmed that preparations for the landmark conference are underway.
This will mark only the second time the SSD conference is being held on African soil, following Nigeria’s hosting of a previous edition.“Kenya and Norway are working together in preparation for the fifth international conference on the Safe Schools Declaration, to be held in Nairobi in December 2025,” said Murkomen.
He praised the strong bilateral relations between Nairobi and Oslo, describing the upcoming event as an opportunity to deepen cooperation on global education and humanitarian security.The Safe Schools Declaration is a political commitment endorsed by more than 100 countries to safeguard students, teachers, and educational institutions from the effects of armed conflict.
Separately, while attending the 8th session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2025) in Geneva, Switzerland, CS Murkomen highlighted Kenya’s growing international leadership on climate-related and humanitarian issues.
He met with Prof. Walter Kalin, Kenya’s envoy for the Platform on Disaster Displacement (PDD), and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to protecting communities affected by climate-induced displacement.
Kenya currently holds the chairmanship of the PDD, a State-led initiative that builds on the Nansen Initiative and works to protect cross-border displaced persons affected by disasters and environmental change.“We are honoured to lead the PDD and fully committed to advancing protection for people displaced by disasters and climate change,” said Murkomen.
He reiterated Kenya’s collaboration with fellow PDD members including Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, and others, along with UNHCR, IOM, and UNOPS.On the sidelines of the Geneva meeting, Murkomen also held a bilateral engagement with Dr. Pramod Kumar Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India.
The discussions focused on strengthening Kenya–India cooperation in disaster risk reduction and management, including through capacity building and equipment support.“We look forward to strengthening our cooperation and friendship in disaster risk management through training, skills development, and enhanced trade,” Murkomen said.
Addressing a special session themed “Investing in Resilient Infrastructure for Africa – Tools, Strategies and Partnerships,” Murkomen joined Zambia’s Vice President, Ms. Mutale Nalumango, in calling for greater investment in infrastructure resilience to reduce disaster risks across the continent.
The CS showcased Kenya’s progress under the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, particularly in enhancing infrastructure and institutional preparedness.
He emphasized the importance of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in building sustainable and shock-resistant infrastructure.“Resilient infrastructure must be a central pillar in our pursuit of sustainable development,” he noted, urging governments to leverage PPPs in tackling the continent’s vulnerability to climate-related shocks.
Murkomen was accompanied in Geneva by Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office, Amb. Dr. Fancy Too, and members of the national delegation to GP2025.
The SSD conference in Nairobi is expected to draw global education, humanitarian, and security stakeholders, reinforcing Kenya’s central role in global peacebuilding and education protection.
