The Crown Princess visits Kenya

In the morning, The Crown Princess of Sweden and The Crown Prince of Norway held a bilateral meeting with Deputy President of Kenya Rigathi Gachagua.

The heirs to the thrones then attended an industry seminar organised by Business Sweden and Innovation Norway, in which around thirty businesses took part. During the seminar, The Crown Princess gave a speech in which she said:

Whether our friends are next door, like Norway, or thousands of miles away, like Kenya, we like to team up, learn from each other and do things together. […]

“In tackling the challenges that we all face, innovative solutions will be critical. Innovation and research are essential. Sweden is ready to team up to make it happen. Together.”

HRH The Crown Princess

The two heirs to the thrones then visited the companies' stands, and had the opportunity to speak with business leaders. The seminar concluded with round-table discussions on the theme of 'Digital, innovative Africa'.

The Crown Princess of Sweden and The Crown Prince of Norway then opened Business Sweden and Innovation Norway's new shared offices at One Africa Place. There, the heirs to the thrones were given a tour of the premises and met staff from both organisations who will work there.

The Crown Princess's programme continued with a visit to Scania together with Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell. There, the Crown Princess and Minister Forssell took part in the official opening of Scania East Africa.

At the Health Care Global Cancer Centre at MP Shah Hospital, The Crown Princess inaugurated a new radiation gun for treating cancerous tumours, and was given a demonstration of the new technology.

In the evening, The Crown Princess of Sweden and The Crown Prince of Norway attended a reception at the Swedish Ambassador's official residence in Nairobi. Around 300 business representatives attended the reception.

As we return to Stockholm and Oslo, we do so with a deeper understanding of the challenges facing this country and region. But also with a strong feeling of hope, inspired by the dynamic youth of Kenya and their leadership.”

HRH The Crown Princess

On 23 November, The Crown Princess of Sweden and The Crown Prince of Norway travelled to the Kwale district in southern Kenya. There, they were welcomed by Governor Fatuma Achani. During their visit, they learnt about how local authorities are working with the UNDP on local democracy, as well as the importance of sustainable development.

The two heirs to the thrones then visited a mangrove forest and the Mikoko Pamoja ('Mangrove Together') project, which aims to preserve and replant mangrove forests. Representatives from the UNDP and local employees talked about the project and the positive side effects it has brought in the form of a better environment, better conditions for local fishermen and employment within ecotourism.

The day concluded with an official dinner arranged by the UNDP. During the dinner, the two heirs to the thrones learnt about how Kenya is working to achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

The joint programme for The Crown Princess of Sweden and The Crown Prince of Norway in Kenya began at the UN's African headquarters in Nairobi. The two heirs to the thrones are already involved in issues relating to the UN's work with sustainability and global poverty: The Crown Princess is an advocate emerita for the UN's Global Goals, and The Crown Prince is a UNDP goodwill ambassador.

During the morning, the two heirs to the thrones spoke with local employees at the UN office and took part in the launch of a report on plastic pollution in Kenya.

Kitengela waste facility

In the afternoon, the two heirs to the thrones visited Kitengela waste facility near Nairobi. There, the UNDP works together with local organisations to reduce plastic pollution.

At the waste facility, the two heirs to the thrones spoke with the creators of a UNDP app that acts as a tool for waste management and a source of information about recycling and waste management. During the visit, they also talked to waste collectors who support themselves by gathering, sorting and recycling plastic waste. The waste collectors are part of an informal industry that has emerged in the absence of public waste management systems.

Evening reception

In the evening, The Crown Princess and The Crown Prince attended a reception arranged by the UNDP. The invitees were UNDP international development partners, UN employees in Kenya and representatives from the private sector, organisations and civil society.

During the reception, The Crown Princess gave a speech in which she said:

I would like to recall the five P’s of the 2030 Agenda: People, Prosperity, Planet, Peace and Partnerships. While these are all valuable guiding elements for our continued work here in Kenya and globally, there remains no doubt in my mind that people are at the centre of everything we want to achieve.

“It is only by engaging with people and by empowering people that we will see transformative change.”

HRH The Crown Princess

On Monday 21 November, The Crown Princess began her first day in Kenya by visiting the Swedish Embassy in Nairobi. There, The Crown Princess was given a tour and the opportunity to speak with the embassy's employees. In the evening, The Crown Princess attended a reception at the embassy together with Swedes who live and work in Kenya.