Kenya's voice counts as the world meets to discuss common future

When the United Nations Security Council met to discuss situation in Ukraine. [File, Standard]

When the United Nations was born in June 1945, only 51 of today’s 193 Member States were at the table in San Francisco to craft the architecture of multilateralism.

The deep challenges we face are universal and demand universal approaches and actions. The United Nations is still the only forum where this can happen. But too much power, and too many processes and procedures within the UN reflect yesterday’s realities, not today’s – still less tomorrow’s.

Reforms are long overdue, so countries like Kenya can exert the equal voice the UN Charter guarantees. And so that youth and future generations can do the same. As the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has said “We cannot create a future fit for our grandchildren with a system built for our grandparents”.

Kenya has been a leading voice globally calling for reforms to the multilateral system, to be more fit for purpose and respond to the challenges that urgently require common solutions – and reflect today’s political and economic realities more intensely.

In response to this, Mr Guterres has called a “Summit of the Future” to rebuild trust. Trust between peoples, countries and generations. A trust which right now is threatened. The overarching aim of the summit is rebuilding trust by addressing the significant gaps in global governance and forging international consensus on tackling current and emerging global challenges.

The summit will take place this weekend in New York. On the agenda are things Kenya and Kenyans care about deeply. Sustainable development for all and financing for development. Getting back on track demands much greater global financing for development than is on the table – to help countries and peoples adapt to the ravages of the climate emergency and pandemic-proof our development.

As President William Ruto has made crystal clear, this demands true reform of the International Financial Architecture. The global financial system remains heavily skewed against developing nations, offering little support in times of crisis and leaving them mired in debt.

African countries pay as much as eight times more than countries in the “Global North” when borrowing from the same international institutions. Concrete actions are needed now to alleviate debt distress, boost the lending capacity of multilateral development banks and amend standards to provide fair and sustainable access to finance for developing countries – particularly to tackle the climate crisis.

Strengthening innovation and digital cooperation, and addressing the governance of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, to ensure these tools are developed and used ethically, inclusively, and securely. We have to prevent a handful of wealthy nations from monopolising the governance of AI and other digital technologies. This is particularly critical for Kenya as a digital innovation hub and for our youthful and skilled workforce.

Responding to the needs and priorities of youth and future generations. Africa is the oldest and the youngest continent. That’s a blessing – if, together, we get it right, countries like Kenya are where the energies, creativity, innovation and growth will come from in the future. But this requires everyone to cooperate to create the enabling environment.

International peace and security. Kenya’s development is threatened by conflicts next door in the Horn of Africa. But also further afield: the war in Ukraine has seen food, fertiliser and fuel prices all spike to unprecedented levels. And the linkage between climate change and increased instability also threatens Kenya’s future.

This summit is a global conversation about the future. Including Kenya’s future. This is why Kenya’s powerful voice at the table is critical. To leverage Kenya’s strong voice globally on these issues, President Ruto is prioritising participating in the summit. Kenyan civil society and youth representatives will also attend. This gives Kenya a unique opportunity to participate in shaping our common agenda.

Dr Singoei is the Foreign and Diaspora Affairs PS and Dr Jackson is the UN resident coordinator in Kenya