Ruto rallies Africa ahead of COP31, says climate action must create jobs, not just promises

President William Ruto will address the Kenyan delegation at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday. This marks the culmination of a week-long series of speeches by heads of state and governments, following the opening of the General Debate led by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The theme for this year's assembly is "Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all".

Prior to his address, President Ruto attended a High-Level Convening on the 'Accra Reset', where he reaffirmed Kenya's commitment to leading the MasterKey Corridor. This initiative aims to connect African skills and credentials with global opportunities, emphasizing the need for Africa to become a builder of technologies defining the current century. He stressed the importance of Africa transforming into a technological leader, contributing to the rules that govern these innovations.

President Ruto called for Kenya to position technology as a driver of economic growth, enabling the continent to achieve middle-income status. He also highlighted the need for reform of international institutions, including the UN Security Council, to make them more representative and inclusive. Kenya advocates for a fairer international financial architecture that better prices risk and enables developing countries to mobilize more of their own capital for development.

The President is expected to outline Kenya's vision for a more equitable and effective multilateral system during his address, emphasizing the importance of trust, consistent rule application, and visible benefits for people.