UNGA President Philemon Yang in Kenya for 5-day official visit

United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President of the 79th session, Philemon Yang is in Kenya for a five-day official visit.

The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs confirmed his arrival on February 18, with his visit set to conclude on February 22.

During his stay, Yang will meet with President William Ruto, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, and senior government officials to discuss strengthening Kenya’s ties with the UN.

“The discussions will focus on enhancing Kenya-UN relations, reinforcing Kenya’s role in multilateral diplomacy, and advancing key global and regional priorities,” the ministry said in a statement.

Yang is also expected to outline his vision and priorities, including peace and security, sustainable development, development financing, digitalisation, and international cooperation.

He will also deliver a public lecture and engage with UN representatives, academics, policy think tanks, innovators, and private-sector leaders. Additionally, he is set to visit green spaces and wildlife conservation areas in Nairobi.

Kenya’s role in global diplomacy

This is not the first visit by a UNGA president to Kenya.

In May 2017, former UNGA President Peter Thomson visited, meeting former President Uhuru Kenyatta to discuss Kenya’s commitment to developing its blue economy.

At the 79th UNGA session in September last year, Ruto called for reforms to the UN Security Council, pushing for the implementation of the 2005 Ezulwini Consensus.

“The existing international security architecture, represented by the UN Security Council is dysfunctional, undemocratic, non-inclusive, unaccountable, autocratic, and opaque. An institution that excludes 54 African countries, representing 1.4 billion people, while allowing one nation to veto the decisions of the remaining 193 member states is unacceptable,” he said. 

He urged greater African representation on the Security Council to ensure inclusivity and accountability.