President William Ruto is set to depart for New York tonight to participate in the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
In a statement on Friday, State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed highlighted that this event is a major global platform where world leaders convene to tackle pressing international issues, particularly focusing on sustainable development, global governance, and climate action.
Ruto will advocate for comprehensive reforms of multilateral institutions, including the United Nations, to ensure they effectively address today’s urgent challenges. At the UN-organized “Summit of the Future,” he will call for a thorough reassessment of the multilateral system, underscoring its current inadequacies in handling interconnected crises like climate change, debt burdens, complex conflicts, and the decline of democratic governance.
His advocacy aims to promote the proposed “Pact for the Future,” which seeks to establish a democratic, transparent, equitable, and responsive global order that caters to the specific needs of Kenya, Africa, and other developing nations.
The President will engage in high-level discussions focused on bridging the digital divide, fostering inclusivity in the digital economy, and ensuring fair management of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data governance.
Hussein noted that Ruto will also meet with world leaders and international organizations to strengthen partnerships and explore opportunities in trade, investment, and diplomacy. These discussions will center on enhancing trade relations, advancing Kenya’s leadership in climate action, and building strategic partnerships in renewable energy and digital innovation.
Additionally, the President is scheduled to meet with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to discuss Kenya’s role as the host of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), ongoing capital projects at the UN Office in Nairobi, and Kenya’s leadership in the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti.
Hussein emphasized that UNGA 79 provides a vital platform for Kenya and Africa to assert their positions globally. For Kenya, it presents an opportunity to advocate for equitable climate financing and to seek international support for initiatives like the Nairobi Declaration on the Africa Climate Summit, the African Green Industrialization Initiative, and the African Renewable Energy Strategy.
As a prominent voice for Africa, President Ruto’s interventions will highlight the continent’s broader concerns, particularly regarding climate change, financial reforms, and technological governance. He will also continue to push for increased African representation in global institutions, including the UN Security Council and the International Monetary Fund.
Hussein concluded that Ruto’s agenda is focused on ensuring Africa’s interests are not only acknowledged but also acted upon in the pursuit of a more inclusive, sustainable, and equitable global order.
