Global leaders unite to build a better marketplace and future for consumers

From this Wednesday 06 – Friday 08 December, influential leaders from government, business and civil society arrive in Nairobi to discuss the policy, good practice and accountability needed to protect consumers globally.
Over 300 attendees are expected to take part in the Consumers International’s Global Congress 2023, the only international event which joins the leading consumer organisations – those mandated to protect consumer rights – together with government, business, civil society and academia. In Nairobi, leaders will address the top issues facing consumers including the cost-of-living, sustainable consumption, energy transitions, food systems, digital rights and the future of finance.
“As we enter 2024, climate and post-pandemic crises will continue to harm both planet and people in the marketplace. The Global Congress provides a unique opportunity to share a vivid picture of the global consumer experience worldwide and to build and action solutions which make a difference for people,” said Helena Leurent, Director-General, Consumers International.
The event is being held for the second time in Africa and in partnership with the Competition Authority of Kenya and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Competition Commission. For three days over 20 panel debates, workshops and plenaries will include senior representation from Kenyan, African and global decision-makers.
The event will explore topics such as the measures policy makers and business need to take to help people manage through the cost of living, to have access to essential needs, to live more sustainably, to switch to clean energy, and to know that the food they eat has been sourced sustainably and is healthy. It will explore modern marketplace issues such as how consumers can be protected and seek redress in an age of AI and cross-border data flows.
Eminent speakers at the Global Congress include: Shaka Kariuki Chairman, Competition Authority of Kenya; Willard Mwemba, Director and Chief Executive Officer, COMESA Competition Commission, Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, Commissioner, Federal Trade Commission (USA); Bob Hedges, Chief Data Officer, Visa; and Gilly Wong, Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong Consumer Council.
Joint calls and new global initiatives will be launched which unite the consumer movement, government and business to prevent scams, deliver a better food system, enable effective redress, and amplify the consumer voice in international dialogue. New consumer insight will be released to pinpoint the top consumer issues for the coming year, and good practice case studies will be shared on practical and business model innovations in global energy and finance systems.
Dr Adano Roba, Acting Director General, Competition Authority of Kenya said, “We are proud to support the Global Congress, bringing delegates together from around the world to discuss pressing issues affecting consumer welfare. We look forward to sharing our experience in promoting consumer welfare both nationally and regionally as we work towards common solutions with leaders in attendance.”
Dr Willard Mwemba, Director and Chief Executive Officer, COMESA Competition Commission said,
“The hosting of the Congress in Africa demonstrates the commitment both COMESA and increasingly the continent attaches to matters of consumer protection and welfare. The event provides a bedrock to enhance the demands needed from marketplace actors and strengthen competition as a win-win for consumers and economies.”
Notes to Editors
The Global Congress is held every four years and is the pivotal event for those committed to improving the lives of consumers. In 2023, its theme is ‘Building a resilient future for consumers’. It covers four cross cutting areas of digital futures, fair finance, sustainable consumption and strengthening consumer protection worldwide. The event has been hosted by national governments including Portugal (2019), Brazil (2015), Hong Kong (2011), Australia (2007) and Portugal (2003). It is where the new Council of Consumers International is elected to guide strategic direction of the movement for next four years.
Consumers International holds general consultative status with the United Nations, is a Special Economic Group at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and sits on the consumer advisory group for the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Its network comprises 200 organisations in 100 countries who help to build a safe, fair and sustainable marketplace by advising and educating consumers, testing products and making recommendations to leaders in business and government. Its portfolio of work covers the most important consumer concerns across areas including food, energy, mobility, finance, the online marketplace and sustainable consumption. www.consumersinternational.org.
The Competition Authority of Kenya (the Authority) is a State Corporation established by Section 7 of the Competition Act No. 12 of 2010 (the Act). The Authority’s mandate is to enforce the Act with the objective of enhancing the welfare of the people of Kenya by promoting and protecting effective competition in markets and protecting consumers from unfair and misleading market conduct. www.cak.go.ke.
The COMESA Competition Commission is a regional body established under Article 6 of the Regulations made under the Treaty establishing the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). The Commission’s core mandate is to enforce the provisions of the Regulations with regard to trade between Member States and promote competition within the Common Market through monitoring and investigating anti-competitive practices of undertakings within the Common Market and mediating disputes between Member States concerning anti-competitive conduct. https://comesacompetition.org.
Contact: Charlotte Broyd, Head of Membership and Communications, [email protected]. Tel no. +447871310844.