President William Ruto is heading to New York later this week for a UN General Assembly dominated by global reforms, giving Kenya an opportunity to push its interests on debt, climate finance, trade, regional security and a bigger African voice in global governance.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei said the President’s attendance followed a push by officials who argued that Kenya needed representation at the highest level as several major global processes converge at UNGA.
“We persuaded the President that this is a UN Reform General Assembly,” Sing’oei said while addressing the press Thursday at his office.
He said the meeting comes at a moment of “systemic reset”, with the President of the General Assembly outlining six priorities: peace and security, accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals, climate resilience, human rights, digital governance and artificial intelligence, and UN reform.
Sing’oei said three major processes would converge during UNGA 81: implementation of UN reforms, selection of the next UN Secretary-General and a high-level review of the global financial architecture.
“These are heads of state level negotiations. They cannot be delegated,” he said.
According to the PS, Ruto’s presence is important because Kenya must protect and advance its national interests in discussions on debt, climate finance, digital trade and regional security.
He said Kenya also needed to articulate Africa’s position on reform of the UN Security Council and inclusive global governance.
“The President of UNGA 81 has already signalled that this is not 1945, surfacing the call for reform,” Sing’oei said.
He said Kenya, as a leading democracy, a contributor to UN peacekeeping and the host of the organisation’s headquarters in the Global South, should advance this position personally and at the highest level.
Climate and financing leadership will also feature during the meeting, with a high-level event on climate action and just transition scheduled for September 23.
Sing’oei said Kenya’s experience hosting the inaugural Africa Climate Summit made it important for the country to maintain a strong presence in discussions on climate finance.
The PS also pointed to economic diplomacy, saying previous presidential engagements during UNGA had opened investment and trade opportunities.
He cited discussions around the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), bilateral trade and apparel exports, as well as investment commitments that he said had since translated into projects on the ground.
Sing’oei said Ruto’s meetings with international leaders and business executives had produced infrastructure, financing and investment pipelines.
He cited engagements with French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Ghanaian leaders and California Governor Gavin Newsom.
A meeting with Newsom, he said, helped give birth to the California-Africa Climate and Economic Partnership, which is being implemented.
Sports diplomacy is also expected to feature, with Kenya’s nomination to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships providing an additional platform for engagement.
Sing’oei said last year’s discussions with the National Basketball Association deputy commissioner included proposals for multi-purpose arenas in Nairobi and courts in Kisumu and Mombasa.
Housing will also feature, with Kenya’s affordable housing model having been presented during the Global Championship for Adequate Housing.
The PS said officials had warned that failing to attend at presidential level risked losing opportunities for direct negotiations.
“The diary shows all real outcomes happen in bilateral rooms,” he said.
Sing’oei said the President would deliver Kenya’s national statement during the general debate and prioritise bilateral engagements on peace, climate finance, UN reform and digital cooperation.
The announcement comes as Kenya seeks to strengthen its role in multilateral diplomacy and use the UNGA platform to advance national and continental priorities.
Sing’oei said the President’s participation would allow Kenya to engage directly with world leaders, financial institutions and investors on issues affecting the country and the wider region
