Ruto calls for bold reforms at UN Security Council to tackle global challenges

President William Ruto at the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. [PCS]

President William Ruto has called for bold reforms at the United Nations Security Council to tackle the rapidly evolving global challenges. 

Ruto said the current multilateralism system has proven inadequate in addressing crises such as climate change, inequality, and debt, and continues to falter in providing any, let alone timely, solutions.

He pointed out that, without immediate action, humanity will face an unprecedented global crisis.

“Today, we have no choice but to reject outdated systems and re-imagine a framework of international cooperation that works for all 8 billion people,” he said.

Speaking during the Summit of the Future plenary at the United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York, United States.

The President said there was a need to redesign the international financial system, strengthen partnerships for common security, bridge the digital divide and invest in human capacity. 

He noted that it was unfortunate that only 17% of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets are on track largely due to unmet financial commitments. 

“Developing countries, particularly in Africa and the Global South, are facing severe funding shortages, and the gap is widening,” he said.

He explained it was time the historical injustice of Africa’s lack of permanent representation on the UN Security Council be addressed as a matter of justice in the ongoing UN reforms.

The President informed the General Assembly of the advancements made by the Kenya-led Multinational Support Mission in Haiti, saying that despite limited resources, the contingent has achieved tangible progress.

“What looked like mission impossible is now a present and real possibility for peace in Haiti,” he said. 

President Ruto said Kenya is keen on increasing its forest cover to 30% in 2030 by planting 15 billion trees, an effort largely led by the youth. 

“Two weeks ago, I launched ClimateWorX, a programme that will employ 200,000 young Kenyans in sustainable public works, focused on ecological restoration and infrastructure,” he said. 

Earlier, during the Summit of the Future's interactive dialogue session, President Ruto said there was a need to address structural and monetary issues that cripple multilateral financial institutions and disproportionately affect developing countries. 

He said these would include limited fiscal capacity, rising debt, unfair credit ratings, and uneven interest rates that threaten the realisation of SDGs.

“The fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Spain next year might be our last chance to make significant reforms to meet the SDGs,” he said.