By Dorothy Musyoka
Kenya has called on the United Nations to urgently reform its structures to reflect the realities of the 21st century or risk drifting into irrelevance.
Delivering Kenya’s National Statement at the General Assembly Debate in New York, President William Ruto underscored the need for the UN to renew its founding promise of peace, development and human rights.
“At this crossroads between renewal and decay, the UN must reimagine its founding promise of peace, development, and human rights in a world reshaped by conflict, climate change, inequality, and disruptive technologies,” stated President Ruto.
Kenya commended the UN’s historic achievements in averting global war, advancing human rights, and providing humanitarian relief.
However, it stressed that these successes cannot excuse the institution’s shortcomings.
“Its record, from averting global war to advancing human rights and humanitarian relief, is remarkable. Yet these achievements cannot excuse its shortcomings,” added the President.
Additionally, the head of state raised concerned on the continued exclusion of Africa from permanent representation on the UN Security Council.
“The UN cannot claim to be united while Africa, with 54 nations, remains excluded from permanent representation on the Security Council and denied a voice at the top table,” the President said.
“To remain legitimate, it must confront today’s challenges with vision and decisive action,” he added.
The President also called for a bold overhaul of the international financial system, noting that outdated rules burden vulnerable nations with debt and high costs while rewarding wealthy countries.