United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres during a past event/UNUN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for reforms to the United Nations Security Council, saying Africa’s lack of a permanent seat is unjust and indefensible.
Guterres said the Security Council must be reformed to reflect the realities of the 21st century, with permanent African representation.
He said reforming the Council would enhance its legitimacy and effectiveness in addressing the challenges facing the world today.
“Africa still has no permanent seat on the Security Council. A 21st-century Security Council without permanent African representation is unjust & indefensible. We must reform the Council so that it reflects today’s world with the legitimacy and effectiveness that today’s challenges demand,” Guterres said.
During the 2025 UNGA, Ruto renewed calls for Africa to be granted permanent representation on the United Nations Security Council, terming the continent’s exclusion unacceptable and indefensible.
Speaking at the 7th Summit of the Committee of Ten Heads of State and Government on UN Security Council Reform, Ruto said Africa’s voice must be amplified across all global platforms.
“We must correct this historic injustice to make the UN fit for purpose,” the President said.
“African leaders must unite behind fair representation and defend the Common African Position.”
The Summit was held on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sunday.
President Ruto assured that Kenya will fully support the push to ensure Africa’s demands are no longer deferred.
He also urged African states to prepare to shoulder the responsibilities that come with permanent membership.
“As we press for representation, we must also agree on how we will choose our representatives,” he said.
Ruto noted that despite Africa’s heavy involvement in peacekeeping and its centrality on the Council’s agenda, the continent remains the only region without permanent representation.
“Africa deserves two permanent seats with full rights, including the veto, and two additional non-permanent seats on the UN Security Council. Africa’s exclusion is not only unacceptable, unfair, and grossly unjust; it also undermines the very credibility of the United Nations,” he said.
Ruto told the world leaders that the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, adopted two decades ago, had already established Africa’s common position on reform.
Ruto is scheduled to deliver Kenya's main address at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday.
Ruto arrived in New York on Sunday for the high-level UNGA engagements and has since held talks with world leaders and taken part in meetings on technology, development and multilateral cooperation.
He also held talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the General Assembly.
During his engagements, Ruto has pushed for reforms to the UN Security Council and the international financial system, arguing that global institutions and rules established decades ago should better reflect today's world.
He has also called for a greater African role in technology and global decision-making, including through the Accra Reset and the MasterKey Corridor.
His address comes as world leaders gather for the General Debate amid discussions on conflicts, climate change, development financing, technology and reform of the multilateral system.
Ruto is expected to use the address to outline Kenya's position on these issues and its call for changes to global institutions.
