President William Ruto has called for sweeping reforms to global governance and financial institutions, saying the international system must evolve to reflect the realities of the modern world and become more inclusive and effective.
Speaking in New York on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, Ruto reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to reforming the United Nations Security Council to make it more representative, particularly of regions that remain underrepresented in global decision-making.
Ruto made the remarks while co-hosting the Partners for Multilateralism Summit alongside European Council President António Costa and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, underscoring the need to overhaul the international financial architecture.
During the Kenya-European Union Partnership for Multilateralism Summit, the President argued that Africa has sufficient domestic savings to support its development but lacks effective mechanisms to mobilise and channel those resources into productive investments across the continent.
He also called for greater international cooperation, rejecting the notion that African countries must choose between aligning with the East or the West.
“We are not facing east nor are we facing west; we are facing forward,” Ruto said.
The President further criticised what he described as the selective application of international law, arguing that a sustainable global future should not be shaped by a few countries and imposed on others.
Meanwhile, Ruto has announced that Kenya will hold the groundbreaking ceremony for the East Africa Refinery in Lamu next Wednesday, following discussions with Dangote Industries President and CEO Aliko Dangote and Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) CEO Samaila Zubairu.
Ruto said the refinery project will strengthen regional energy security and support industrialisation in East Africa.
