UN, Kenya Call for Equal Partnership for Africa in Global Institutions

Dragon Media News Desk

Officials from the United Nations and the Kenyan government called Thursday for a greater role for Africa in global decision-making at a Nairobi meeting focused on rebuilding trust in multilateralism.

Ahunna Eziakonwa, the UN under-secretary-general and special adviser to the UN secretary-general on Africa, urged international institutions to remain accountable, fulfill their commitments and give Africa a meaningful place in global decision-making.

“Global institutions cannot regain public confidence without increasing Africa’s role in shaping international decisions,” she said.

Eziakonwa said Africa must be treated as a genuine partner in global governance. Trust in multilateralism, she added, depends on whether international institutions honor their commitments and genuinely represent the people they serve.

She said African countries deserve fair representation in global institutions, equitable access to development finance and a direct role in shaping the rules of the global economy. She urged African governments to hold international partners accountable for their commitments while maintaining transparency with their own citizens.

Eziakonwa also called on leaders across the continent to fulfill key commitments in agriculture, education and public services.

Abraham Korir Sing’Oei, principal secretary for foreign affairs at Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, called for broader participation in decision-making, including by non-governmental actors, to restore trust in established institutions. He also advocated greater representation for Global South countries in major international decision-making bodies, saying global institutions must make room for non-state actors.

Both officials said international institutions must demonstrate genuine partnership by ensuring a fair distribution of power and influence in global decision-making. They called for urgent action to narrow the gap between international commitments—particularly on climate finance and development assistance—and the resources actually delivered.

They said lasting change ultimately depends on governments and global institutions making firm commitments, transparently reporting progress and accepting scrutiny when they fall short.

The meeting took place ahead of the Nairobi Dialogues on Global Trust, scheduled for October 21–23 in Kenya’s capital. The event aims to provide a dynamic platform for dialogue, partnership and collective action.