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{
    "id": 1545404,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1545404/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 189,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Mungatana, MGH",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "I want to congratulate those Members who represented us and the views that our regional Parliaments need, to also shift focus and start finding a way to work with the BRICS. The reason is that the BRICS came together and discussed a lot of issues around trade and cooperation between themselves. They have started to invite other nations to come together and work with them. The most critical thing is that these nations have decided that they will start operating on a new platform of trade. They will not be using the dollar anymore to do their international trade. This is a tremendously huge and important step that needs to be emulated. What is it that they have done so well that is resulting in them moving in that direction and what can we learn, especially from Africa and the Pacific regions? What is it that Parliaments from this African-Pacific region can learn from that move? I support the idea that the African and Pacific area Parliaments should find a way to cooperate with the BRICS. One of the issues that was discussed is a common problem that some States are failing to give their assessed contributions to the organisation. They said that 10 countries did not make a single contribution to the 2022 budget of that regional organisation. The question then begs; how does a nation join an international organisation, sign treaties and then, refuse to give its assessed contribution? Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this is a challenge that we need to address. My prayer is that the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs in Kenya will not be one of those that will be mentioned. I am sure they were not be in this one. I want to take this opportunity to urge the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Affairs, the Hon. Musalia Mudavadi, together with his Principal Secretary, Dr. Korir Sing’oei, to sit down and review all our memberships, so that we are not part of those countries that are described as 100 per cent non-contributor countries because we have signed to be in those organisations. It is a shame. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, in this particular meeting, our President visited and was the guest of honour. He officially opened the sitting of that Parliament. You can imagine if you are not contributing and the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has not verified whether we are contributing, and then the President goes there as a guest of honor. These things should be looked at. I know the Ministry is listening to me. Can they sit down and review all treaties we are supposed to be contributing to, especially parliamentary organizations, so that this issue will never affect us as a nation? I am proud of the fact that whenever we go to the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) and stand to speak as Kenyans, we speak with a lot of pride and honor. This is because we have managed to keep up with our assessed contributions. My prayer is that Kenya will never be mentioned in a list of shame in areas we belong to an international organization, that do not pay up on our assessed contribution. The third issue that was discussed and is critical was the concern that was raised by African and Pacific Parliamentarians meeting of the non-tariff barriers by the European Union (EU). A concern was expressed about the “green deals”. These policies tend to be segregatory against agricultural animal products that are coming from Africa and Pacific nations. The EU comes up with standards which are hurting businesses from Africa and the Pacific region. This issue was discussed at length. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}