Kenyan President William Ruto has urged the international community to reform the UN Security Council to address the power imbalance that currently exists. Speaking at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, Ruto stated that the current structure reserves permanent power and veto authority for five countries, excluding the other 188 Member States. He emphasized that Africa's 54 nations are permanently excluded from permanent membership, despite being frequently affected by the Council's decisions.
Ruto pointed out that the current international security architecture was designed when most of Africa was under colonial rule, and therefore had no voice in shaping the institutions governing global peace. He noted that only four African countries were represented at the San Francisco conference where the UN Charter was adopted. The President called for urgent reform to correct this imbalance and give Africa equitable and permanent representation, with all the prerogatives and privileges of permanent membership.
The Kenyan President also called for reform of the international financial architecture to enable every nation to secure the wellbeing of its people. He stated that development cannot remain expensive for countries that need investment most, while debt service crowds out essential public services. Ruto pointed out that global public debt reached a record $102 trillion in 2024, with developing countries accounting for less than a third of that debt, yet paying about $1 trillion in interest.
Ruto emphasized that nations must manage debt prudently, strengthen institutions, deepen domestic capital markets, honour contracts, and confront corruption without equivocation. He added that a fairer international system requires responsibility on both sides, and that reform abroad cannot substitute for accountability at home. The President also called for multilateral development banks to lend more and for greater use of guarantees, risk-sharing instruments, long-term finance, and local currency financing.
The President warned that failure to build an effective United Nations, capable of preventing conflict, defending peace, and advancing development, would come at a heavy cost to civilians. He stated that children would be driven from classrooms, families displaced, hospitals would collapse, and economies would be consumed by war. Ruto emphasized that peace is not separate from development, but is its first condition.
Ruto announced that Kenya expects to break ground on the East Africa Refinery in Lamu, a facility capable of processing 700,000 barrels of oil a day with an investment of $16 billion. He stated that the project represents the Africa that Kenya seeks to build, adding value at home, creating jobs, and building industries capable of serving continental and global markets.
The President called on those pushing for reform not to accept that reform is impossible simply because it is difficult. He noted that the United Nations had changed its architecture before, citing the 1963 General Assembly amendments that enlarged the Security Council from 11 to 15 members. Ruto emphasized that Africa is not approaching the global system merely to demand change, but is offering solutions backed by its mineral wealth, agricultural potential, renewable energy resources, and youthful population.
Key points
- President Ruto calls for UN Security Council reform to give Africa equitable and permanent representation.
- Ruto urges reform of the international financial architecture to enable fair access to development finance.
- The President emphasizes the need for nations to manage debt prudently and strengthen institutions to achieve sustainable development.
