ladies and gentlemen we will now see the signing ceremony of the agreement between the Federal Republic of Germany and the government of the Republic of Kenya about a comprehensive mobility and migration agreement for the federal government of Germany the state minister of the foreign office Kya Co the federal Min of the interior and home Affairs N fesa will sign for the cap of Kenya the Prime Minister and Minister for foreign affairs and diaspora his Excellency Dr Mia mavali ladies and gentlemen the signing of the agreement between the government of the Federal Republic of Germany and the government of the Republic of Kenya on a comprehensive migration and Mobility partnership the signatories are for the Federal Republic of Germany State minister of the federal foreign office Miss Kya Co Federal minister of the interior and Community Miss Nancy Fen for the Republic of Kenya Prime cabinet Secretary of the Republic of Kenya and cabinet secretary for foreign and diaspora Affairs his Excellency Dr Mia gav [Music] sh or [Music] for [Music] thank [Music] you President William a warm wel welcome to Berlin to what is already your third visit to our capital city I have very fond memories of my visit to Kenya last year in Nairobi will celebrated 60 years of diplomatic relations between Germany and Kenya during my visit our federal president is honoring these good relations between the two countries too on the invitation of Frank V Stein Meer Kenya is this year's partner country for the Citizens Festival for the first time ever a country outside Europe is acknowledged in this way and a Citizens Festival is the perfect setting because our relations are first set first and foremost between the links between the people of our two countries Kenya is a solid democracy with a very active civil society that has repeatedly reached out to and been in touch with German institutions some developments in Africa especially in the sahal region are a reason for concern because governments there are often toppled by the use of force at the same time we're however also witnessing how more and more Africans are standing up for more political and social participation and if this is possible peacefully and freely it is an expression of a vibrant democracy service show it very clearly and that's important to acknowledge the overwhelming majority of Africans believe that democracy is the best form of government the links between our two countries are very good Kenya and Germany have been working together in many areas and we are expanding this cooperation continuously this year we are treading new ground with additional Cooperative projects I am delighted that we are intensively cooperating on green hydrogen a true technology of the future another important joint ambition for both of us is co operating more closely in the area of migration as we have seen right now the federal minister of the interior and N fizel State Minister kak K and foreign minister mutava have signed an agreement on this topic of a Mobility partnership and I think that is a very important agreement it offers new prospects for Kenyan men and women because skilled workers and young traines can come to Germany it can help us to bridge the severe shortage of skilled labor and the first impacts of course are already being felt and we see that there is this shortage that we need to address at the same time this agreement also addresses the other side of the coin that is effective repatriation procedures for those who have come from Kenya but have no right to stay in Germany it is now easier to for them to return to their home country in the economic area were also making progress the European Union that is competent for this issue and Kenya have concluded a partnership agreement this way companies from Kenya get better access to the European market and are integrated into fair and sustainable Supply chains Kenya is also benefiting from this as one of the biggest economies in sub Sahara Africa and a Pioneer in digitalization and for German companies who are already very present in the region Kenya is becoming an Ever more attractive partner one question that is especially relevant for the future is where Kenya is a true leader already more than 90% of its electricity is generated from renewable energy sources this makes Kenya a climate Champion during my visit last year I was able to visit a very impressive geothermal power plant for its future development Kenya will need much more electricity and the country stands firm on the path it has chosen it counts on non-fossil fuels and with the climate and development partnership that we have concluded in 2022 we are supporting them on that path Kenya's strong commitment to climate action is an inspiration for other countries as well and that is important for the upcoming Cup in back