Kenya's commitment to global peace unwavering, Ruto tells the UN General Assembly

President William Ruto. [PCS]

President William Ruto has called for immediate financial and logistical support to help Haiti deploy 2,500 police officers by January next year.

Speaking at the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday, September 26, Ruto noted the urgent need for the international community to provide resources to support the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) in Haiti, which Kenya is leading.

"We are ready to assist Haiti, but the international community must unite to provide the necessary resources," he said.

Ruto confirmed that Kenya has already deployed 382 specially trained police officers to Haiti, following the UN Security Council's authorisation under Resolution 2699, and is preparing to send more personnel.

“Kenya will deploy the additional contingent towards attaining the target of all the 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.

Ruto addressed broader security challenges facing the world, stating that global peace and stability are increasingly under threat.

“The world is at a challenging moment and in a most precarious international security dispensation. The promise of the United Nations Charter to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war has been profoundly shaken,” he added.

He pointed to conflict zones worldwide, including Ukraine, Yemen, Gaza, Darfur, and the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where wars are devastating lives and livelihoods.

"Conflict is inflicting a trail of destruction of life and livelihoods in historic proportions," Ruto noted, adding that criminality in Haiti has compounded the crisis.

Ruto also expressed concern over emerging threats stemming from human advancements, including cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure, which he said pose significant risks to national security and global stability.

At the same time, he criticised the growing trend of unilateralism and militarisation among the world's most powerful states, which he said has undermined multilateral efforts to maintain peace.

“Great power rivalry is intensifying, provoking regional competition and inducing geopolitical and geo-economic realignments and tensions. The world’s most powerful states have increasingly chosen unilateralism and militarisation over dialogue and diplomacy,” he noted.

He added that the capacity of multilateral institutions to maintain and enforce peace is severely undermined.

Ruto called for reforms in international cooperation, stating that current systems and structures limit meaningful progress.

He criticised the UN Security Council, calling it “dysfunctional, undemocratic, non-inclusive, unaccountable, autocratic, and opaque."

The Head of State urged world leaders to consider reforming the international security architecture to ensure more accountability and inclusivity.

Kenya’s commitment to global peace and security remains unwavering, Ruto said, noting the country's continued support for Somalia in its fight against Al Shabaab through its participation in the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).

At the same time, Ruto addressed climate change, calling it one of the greatest challenges of the time.

“Biodiversity loss and pollution have created environmental crises that upend lives, reverse progress in poverty reduction, and strain ecosystems to their breaking point,” he said.

He urged world leaders to focus on harnessing Africa’s immense untapped potential in clean energy resources, which he said could contribute significantly to global efforts in combating climate change and accelerating the energy transition.

During the meeting, Ruto held a series of discussions, including with the Kenyan community in the US and a Kenya Business and Investments breakfast meeting.

He also participated in the launch of the Program for Investment and Financing in Africa’s Health (PIFAH) and addressed the Summit of the Future at the UN General Assembly Hall.