President William Ruto has renewed calls for reforms to the United Nations Security Council, pushing for Africa to be granted permanent representation with the full rights and privileges enjoyed by existing permanent members.
Addressing the General Debate of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, Ruto said the current global governance system had failed to adequately reflect Africa’s position in international decision-making.
He argued that while the UN had played a major role in advancing peace, self-determination and human progress, conflicts continued to persist, international law was applied inconsistently and inequalities remained embedded in global institutions.
Ruto said Africa needed a meaningful role in decisions affecting global peace and security, arguing that the continent should not remain excluded from permanent representation on the Security Council.
The call is consistent with Kenya’s longstanding position on reform of the Security Council. The African Union has also pushed for greater representation for the continent, including permanent seats with full rights and privileges.
Beyond the Security Council, Ruto called for reforms to the international financial architecture, saying developing countries face high financing costs while rising debt-service obligations limit spending on essential services and development.
He called for greater access to affordable, long-term capital, guarantees and risk-sharing mechanisms to enable developing countries to finance infrastructure and other development priorities.
“Africa does not seek charity or special treatment. We seek a fair opportunity and a meaningful voice in shaping our common future. We must build a global system where every nation has a voice, every people has a stake and every child has a future,”he said in a statement.
Ruto, however, said reforms should be accompanied by greater responsibility by governments, including prudent debt management, stronger institutions, deeper domestic capital markets and efforts to tackle corruption.
His remarks come as reform of global financial institutions remains a key issue on the international agenda, with African countries seeking measures to address debt vulnerabilities, the high cost of capital and access to development financing.
Ruto said Africa was not seeking charity or special treatment but a fair opportunity and a meaningful voice in shaping the global system.
The 81st UN General Assembly is being held under the theme “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.” The General Debate is taking place from September 22 to 28, bringing together heads of state and government to outline their priorities on global challenges.
