From Nairobi to Addis Ababa, the UN Looks Toward Africa’s Expanding Role
UN Meetings in Kenya and Ethiopia will focus on diplomacy, development, and Africa’s role in global decision-making
United Nations, New York City
Sphinx News: Ahmed Ali
As the United Nations approaches its 80th anniversary, Secretary-General António Guterres is set to travel to Kenya and Ethiopia next week for a series of high-level diplomatic meetings centered on African development, institutional reform, and regional security.
Arriving Sunday evening in Nairobi, Guterres will meet Monday with Kenyan President William Ruto before attending the inauguration of new UN offices and the groundbreaking of a new conference facility at the United Nations Office at Nairobi.
The Secretary-General is expected to highlight Nairobi’s role as the only UN headquarters in Africa, emphasizing the need for the organization to remain closer to the regions it serves. His schedule in Kenya will also include a press conference, bilateral meetings, and a townhall with UN staff.
On Tuesday, Guterres will speak at the Africa Forward Summit, where he is expected to renew calls for global reforms that provide Africa with greater “voice, representation and decision-making power.”
Later that evening, the Secretary-General will travel to Addis Ababa for the 10th African Union–United Nations Annual Conference, taking place Wednesday. Discussions are expected to include the impact of the Middle East conflict on Africa and issues surrounding sustainable water access and sanitation systems.
Following the conference, Guterres will meet with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission and the President of France before attending an event commemorating the UN’s 80th anniversary hosted by Ethiopia’s prime minister, Abiy Ahmed.
