NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya will co-host a major international conference on the protection of education in conflict-affected areas later this year, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced.
The 5th International Conference on the Safe Schools Declaration (SSD) is set to take place in Nairobi in December, marking only the second time the event will be held on African soil.
The summit is being organised jointly with the Kingdom of Norway, a key partner in advancing global education security.
Murkomen, speaking after a meeting in Geneva with Norway’s State Secretary for International Development, Stine Renate Haheim, described the upcoming conference as a “milestone” in Kenya’s diplomatic and humanitarian efforts.
“The conference will strengthen the close and collaborative relationship between Nairobi and Oslo,” said Murkomen, who is in Switzerland for the 8th session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2025).
The Safe Schools Declaration is a voluntary political commitment by governments to safeguard schools, students, and teachers during armed conflict.
It promotes military restraint around learning institutions and supports accountability for attacks on education.
This evening, I had the opportunity to address delegates at the ongoing Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2025), convened under the auspices of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).Together with Her Excellency Ms. Mutale Nalumango, Vice
Kenya’s growing global role
Beyond education security, Murkomen’s diplomatic schedule in Geneva reflected Kenya’s growing leadership in managing disaster displacement and climate-driven migration.
He met with Prof. Walter Kälin, Kenya’s envoy to the Platform on Disaster Displacement (PDD), to review progress made during Kenya’s current chairmanship of the platform.
“Kenya is deeply honoured to lead the PDD and is fully committed to advancing the protection of people displaced by disasters and climate-related events,” said Murkomen.
He reaffirmed Kenya’s collaboration with fellow steering group members, including Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Mexico, and Senegal, as well as partners such as UNHCR, IOM, and UNOPS.
Bilateral talks with India
Murkomen also held bilateral talks with Dr. Pramod Kumar Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India, focusing on enhanced cooperation in disaster risk reduction, training, and equipment sharing.
“We look forward to strengthening our ties of friendship through knowledge exchange and capacity building,” he said.
Focus on resilient infrastructure
Addressing a special session on “Investing in Resilient Infrastructure for Africa”, the CS spotlighted Kenya’s progress under the Sendai Framework, highlighting public-private partnerships as essential for building climate- and disaster-resilient infrastructure.
“Resilient infrastructure must be a central pillar in our pursuit of sustainable development,” he told delegates, who included Zambia’s Vice President Mutale Nalumango.
Murkomen was accompanied in Geneva by Ambassador Dr. Fancy Too, Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva, and other officials from the national disaster and humanitarian response team.
