President William Ruto of Kenya has emphasized the need for African countries to reposition technology as a driver of economic growth. Speaking at the High-Level Convening on the ‘Accra Reset’ on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, Ruto noted that technology is crucial for sustainable competitiveness and can elevate African countries to middle-income status. He stressed that Africa must be a builder of technologies defining the century and a contributor to the rules governing them.
Ruto highlighted the importance of organizing Africa's capabilities at scale, strengthening technological agency, and translating innovation into greater productivity and opportunities for the people. He affirmed Kenya's leadership of the MasterKey Corridor, connecting African skills and credentials to opportunities across borders. The President's remarks underscored the significance of technological progress in delivering shared prosperity.
The UN General Assembly began with a speech by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, followed by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil and US President Donald Trump. A series of bilateral meetings and diplomatic engagements have been taking place since Monday, with President Ruto co-hosting the Partners for Multilateralism Summit with European Council President António Costa and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
During the summit, President Ruto emphasized the need to reform the rules and institutions established 80 years ago, which have not kept pace with the world they govern. He advocated for reform of the UN Security Council to make it more representative and inclusive, particularly for Africa. Ruto also called for reform of the international financial architecture to make it fairer and enable developing countries to mobilize more capital for development.
President Ruto noted that trust in international cooperation will be restored when multilateralism works more fairly, rules are applied consistently, and institutions reflect the world they govern. He pointed out that cooperation must deliver results that people can see and feel. The President is scheduled to deliver Kenya's main address to the General Assembly on Wednesday.
The General Debate will run through Saturday and conclude on Monday, September 28, with several high-level meetings taking place alongside the debate. These meetings will focus on issues such as climate action, sea-level rise, development finance, industrialization, child health, and nutrition. The UN General Assembly theme this year is "Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all".
President Ruto's call for technology-driven growth in Africa aligns with Kenya's efforts to promote innovation and entrepreneurship. The country's leadership in the MasterKey Corridor and advocacy for reform of international institutions reflect its commitment to shaping a more inclusive and equitable global order.
Key points
- President William Ruto calls for African countries to leverage technology to drive economic growth and achieve middle-income status.
- Ruto advocates for reform of the UN Security Council and international financial architecture to make them more representative and fair.
- The UN General Assembly theme this year focuses on restoring trust and managing transformation through multilateralism.
