President Ruto calls for inclusivity, equity in global solidarity efforts

President William Ruto. [PCS]

President William Ruto has called on the international community to discard the outdated power structure at the United Nations.

He advocated for the creation of a system of international cooperation that reflects the aspirations of every human being.

The President said the global community must embrace a new vision of global solidarity that upholds the principles of equity and inclusivity.

He pointed out that international cooperation is clearly limited and constrained by "entrenched systems and structures" that prevent effective action and meaningful progress.

“Since the last General Assembly, the global situation has deteriorated across multiple fronts: conflicts have deepened, economic disparities have widened and the climate crisis has intensified,” he said.

Adding: “To address these challenges, we must rethink and reform global collaboration mechanisms, making them more responsive, adaptable and impactful.”

He made the remarks at the United Nations General Assembly in New York when he delivered Kenya's National Statement on Thursday, September 26.

To ensure international cooperation is meaningful, responsive and impactful, President Ruto called for reforms of the international financial architecture, including climate financing, expansion of the United Nations Security Council to include Africa and fast-tracking the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.

He noted that the current international security architecture, represented by the UN Security Council, is "dysfunctional, undemocratic, non-inclusive, unaccountable, autocratic and opaque."

The President said it is unacceptable that the Security Council excludes 54 African countries, representing 1.4 billion people while allowing one of the five Permanent Members to veto decisions of all the other 193 Member States.

“We must urgently seek to make the Security Council truly representative, inclusive, transparent, effective and accountable,” he said.

President Ruto also called for reforms of the international financial architecture to ensure it facilitates debt relief, long-term and at-scale concessional financing, grants and de-risking lending instruments.

He explained these were essential to increasing investment developing vital infrastructure and expanding critical sectors.

“Affordable financing is essential, but so are transformative policies that include fair trade practices, market access, inclusive international tax cooperation, technology transfer and capacity building,” he added.

President Ruto pointed out that Africa has immense untapped potential in clean energy resources that could benefit both the continent and the rest of the world if exploited.

 

“Harnessing this potential is crucial not only for the continent’s economic growth and social resilience but also for global priorities like accelerating the energy transition, combating climate change and diversifying supply chains,” he said.

The President said "Energy-hungry industries, such as data centres, mineral processing and manufacturing," are seeking clean and affordable sources, which Africa can provide in abundance.

He, however, wondered why out of the 500GW of renewable energy added to the global mix in 2023, Africa accounted for less than 3GW.

“How is this possible given the continent’s vast natural resources, skilled workforce and massive energy needs? We cannot allow Africa to be left behind once again,” he said.

President Ruto urged the global community to also give priority to the actualisation of the Sustainable Development Goals to ensure success that will uplift all nations.

“The achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals cannot be reserved for a privileged few. It must transcend borders and disparities,” he said.

On climate change, President Ruto called on all nations to work together to meet the global climate action goals, stressing that collective efforts to combat climate change must be rooted in fairness and equity to ensure that no nation or community bears a disproportionate burden.

“Let me be clear: political posturing and inaction will neither protect the vulnerable from the consequences of a runaway climate crisis nor save our civilisation from ecosystem collapse,” he said.

At the same time, the President regretted that the world’s most powerful states have increasingly chosen unilateralism and militarisation over dialogue and diplomacy.

“As a consequence, the capacity of our multilateral institutions to maintain and enforce peace, even in national crises with significant regional impacts, is severely undermined,” he added.

He stressed Kenya’s commitment to international peace and security, saying the country will continue investing in efforts that promote stability and harmony in Africa and beyond.

“We are committed to continuing to mediate, facilitate and support peace initiatives and processes in our region, contributing to regional peace operations and UN peacekeeping missions,” he noted.

President Ruto appealed to all Member States to stand in solidarity with the people of Haiti by providing the necessary support directly to the Multinational Security Support in Haiti or through the UN Trust Fund.

He said Kenya will deploy an additional contingent to attain the target of 2,500 police officers by January next year.

“The progress so far made in Haiti demonstrates that what was once deemed mission impossible is indeed a present and undeniable reality,” he said.