President William Ruto will take to the podium at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Wednesday, 23rd September, delivering Kenya’s address in the general debate before an audience of Heads of State and Government from across the world.
According to the UN schedule, Ruto will speak on Wednesday afternoon New York time, which translates to Wednesday night East Africa Time.
At the 81st session of the annual assembly, Ruto has been at the forefront of pushing for increased investment in Africa, artificial intelligence development, and reforms to the global financial system, themes that are expected to feature prominently in his address.
He is also expected to advance Kenya’s investment interests, attract African and international capital, and promote the continent’s role in shaping the global digital and AI economy.
On the sidelines of UNGA, Ruto met with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio for bilateral talks covering trade, technology, critical minerals, energy, and regional security.
US State Department Spokesman Tommy Pigott said the two discussed how Kenya’s critical minerals opportunities could position the country as a key player in the sector while creating openings for American firms to support value addition.
“They spoke about how critical minerals opportunities in Kenya can position the country as a key player in the sector while presenting opportunities for U.S. firms to provide value addition,” Pigott said.
During the Kenya-European Union Partnership for Multilateralism Summit on Tuesday, Ruto asserted that Africa has sufficient domestic savings but argued that the continent’s capital reserves are not being effectively channelled toward development.
He called for global mutual collaboration and pushed back against the framing of African countries as being forced to choose between East and West.
Ruto, who has long been a vocal advocate for reform of global multilateral structures, has continued to press that case at this year’s UNGA.
