Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (Vienna) Maurice Makoloo presented his credentials on Monday to Director-General Ghada Waly.
Amb Makoloo thanked Waly for the “warm welcome and constructive conversation”.
“Delighted to join you in the journey. The UN system, including the UN in Nairobi, plays a critical role in creating platforms for multilateral co-creation of solutions,” he said on X
Vienna is one of the four headquarters of the United Nations, along with New York, Geneva and Nairobi.
The UN Family in Vienna includes the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the world’s central intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical co-operation in nuclear; the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO); the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) that deals with threats posed by drugs, crime, corruption and terrorism; and Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.
In March, Makoloo, presented his credentials to Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization Executive Secretary Robert Floyd.
CTBTO said on X that Floyd welcomed Ambassador Makoloo’s perspectives on youth and gender empowerment, and commended Kenya’s strong and steady support for CTBT as host of two facilities of the International Monitoring System and a National Data Centre.
“Looking forward to further collaborations, including our regional National Data Centre workshop in Kenya, another demonstration of the country’s leadership,” Floyd said.
Other organisations in Vienna are the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) that promotes international cooperation in the peaceful use of outer space; the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) that facilitates closer cooperation and effective interaction in disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control; the International Organization for Migration and the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), among others.
Makoloo, who is Kenya’s Ambassador to Austria, arrived in Vienna on January 31, 2024 to take up his tour of duty. He is also accredited to the various international organizations based in Vienna.
He was received by an official from the Austria Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, Members of the Africa Group in Vienna: Ambassadors of Namibia, Tanzania and Sudan, Deputy Ambassadors of Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Algeria, Egypt and Morocco, as well as Kenya Embassy Officials.
On Tuesday, February 20, Ambassador Makoloo presented his credentials to President Dr. Alexander Van der Bellen at the Hofburg Imperial Palace in Vienna.
They discussed bilateral ties, including how to boost economic ties following the visit to Kenya by Austria Minister for Labour and Economy Dr. Martin Kocher in October last year.
The ongoing championing of global climate action by Kenya and Austria, advocating rules-based multilateral approaches to contemporary global challenges and contributing to the peaceful resolution of ongoing conflicts around the world also featured in the talks.
He had earlier in the month presented copies of credentials to Maximilian Henning, Austria’s Foreign Ministry Chief of Protocol.
Prior to the Austria mission, Amb, Makoloo was Vice President for the Africa Area Office, Habitat for Humanity International (2021-24); East Africa Regional Director, Ford Foundation (2012-21).
He holds a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree in law from the University of Nairobi and South Africa respectively and is a certified leadership coach at Georgetown University, US.
