President William Ruto has called for reforms to the United Nations Security Council to give Africa equitable and permanent representation in decisions on global peace and security.
Speaking during the General Debate of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Ruto said the UN had made significant contributions to peace, self-determination and human progress but had also fallen short of its promise.
He said conflicts continued to persist while international law was applied inconsistently and inequality remained embedded in global institutions.
“The United Nations has transformed our world by advancing peace, self-determination and human progress. Yet it has also fallen short of its promise as conflicts persist, international law is applied inconsistently and inequality remains embedded in the institutions meant to uphold sovereign equality,” Ruto said.
He called for Africa to be given permanent representation on the Security Council, including all the prerogatives and privileges attached to permanent membership.
“Africa must have a meaningful voice in the decisions that shape global peace and security,” he said.
Ruto also called for reforms to the international financial architecture, arguing that developing countries face high costs of financing development while debt servicing consumes resources that could otherwise support essential services.
He said developing countries needed greater access to affordable, long-term capital, guarantees and risk-sharing instruments to finance development.
“Development cannot remain most expensive for the countries that need investment most, while debt service crowds out classrooms, healthcare and opportunity,” he said.
However, Ruto said international reforms should be accompanied by greater responsibility by national governments.
He called on governments to manage debt prudently, strengthen institutions, deepen domestic capital markets, honour contracts and tackle corruption.
“Reform must be matched by responsibility,” he said.
Ruto said Africa was not seeking charity or preferential treatment but a fair opportunity to participate in shaping global affairs.
“Africa does not seek charity or special treatment. We seek a fair opportunity and a meaningful voice in shaping our common future,” he said.
He said the goal should be to build a global system in which every nation has a voice and every people has a stake in the future.
