As part of the Arab-African cooperation programmes implemented by the Arab Fund for Technical Assistance to African Countries, in collaboration with the League of Arab States' Mission in Nairobi, a training programme for 100 Kenyan diplomats of various levels, including several ambassadors, was launched on 13 October at the Diplomatic Academy of the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The programme, conducted both in person and via videoconference, runs through 17 October.
His Excellency Ambassador Mohannad Saleh Lajouzi, Assistant Secretary-General of the League of Arab States and Director-General of the Arab Fund for Technical Assistance to African Countries, delivered the opening speech on behalf of His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States. He conveyed the Secretary-General's greetings and best wishes to the participants, stating that this activity reflects the League of Arab States' commitment to supporting African capacities in diplomatic work and promoting Arab-African integration on issues of common interest.
He also expressed his deep appreciation to the Kenyan government and the leadership of the Diplomatic Academy for their fruitful cooperation, commending the efforts of His Excellency Ambassador Khaled Al-Kathiri, head of the League of Arab States' Mission in Nairobi, and his team for coordinating with the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate the programme. He further extended his appreciation to His Excellency Ambassador Ashraf Mowafi, former Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, who is conducting the programme, bringing with him extensive academic and diplomatic experience.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Acting Director-General of the Diplomatic Corps Academy, the Deputy Director-General of the Middle East Department, and Mr. Abdel Nour Adam, Deputy Head of the League of Arab States' Mission in Nairobi. Also present were a number of senior officials from the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of the Arab diplomatic corps in Nairobi, including Ambassador Farid Wahid Dahman, Ambassador of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria to Kenya, and Dr. Osama Sobhi, Political Affairs Officer representing the Iraqi Embassy in Nairobi.
Concurrently, a specialised training course in engineering and mining was launched at the University of Mombasa as part of the Fund's programmes to support African technical competencies. Professor Al-Batahji, from the Egyptian Center for Metallurgy, delivered the opening speech on behalf of the Arab Fund. He underscored the League of Arab States' commitment to supporting African engineering cadres and building technical capacities to strengthen sustainable development efforts. He affirmed that the Fund will continue implementing training programmes across various fields, grounded in the firm belief that investing in human capital is the cornerstone of sustainable development and joint Arab-African cooperation.
