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Kenya says defunding UN will be disastrous amid US withdrawal
President William Ruto with the Chargé d’Affaires for the US Embassy Susan Burns (centre) and National Security Advisor to President Monica Juma during the New Year diplomatic briefing for ambassadors, high commissioners and heads of international institutions resident in Kenya, at State House, Nairobi.
President William Ruto has taken a swipe at the US decision to withdraw its support from 31 United Nations (UN) entities, saying that the move poses significant threats to the world in responding to crisis.
President Ruto said that Kenya remains cognizant of the UN’s positive impact on humanity, and that the persistent funding shortfalls and administrative constraints continue to limit its responsiveness.
“The defunding of UN agencies weakens multilateral cooperation and diminishes the international community’s capacity to respond to conflict, humanitarian crises, global health threats, and development challenges,” President Ruto said on Monday during the new year diplomatic address to heads of mission and international organisations.
In his speech before the diplomats, the President appealed to the international community to join other countries such as Kenya in supporting renewed efforts to strengthen and adequately resource the UN system.
His appeal comes one month after US President Donald Trump signed the executive order to withdraw from the 66 organisations, agencies and commissions.
Kenya is among the countries which are serving as the hub of the UN, hosing several entities that are serving the region, including fundamental agencies and programs based in Nairobi.
Some of these agencies which are staring at financial crisis includes the UN-Habitat, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), UN Women, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad), the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), and the UN Environment Programme (Unep), among others.
At the same time, the Kenyan President, who doubles as the East Africa Community (EAC) chairperson, reiterated the previous engagement where the calls to reform the global financial architecture to better support domestic resource mobilisation, sustainable debt management, and the mobilisation of private capital for development were made.
He also stated that Kenya continues to contribute responsibly to global peace and security, adding that the country stands in solidarity with the Haitian people's quest to restore security, order, and the rule of law.
Kenya is among the countries that volunteered to lead the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti with the aim of restoring peace and central governance in the Caribbean country which has been ruined by gangs.
“We are now focused on a coordinated and orderly transition of that mission to the Gang Suppression Force supported by adequate international financing, strengthened command structures, and a United Nations Support Office, measures essential to consolidate progress and prevent relapse into instability.”
The Kenyan leaders also emphasised the need to restore peace and calm in troubled parts of Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as in South Sudan.
During the session at State House, Zainab Hawa Bangura, the Head of the United Nations Office at Nairobi (Unon), maintained that Kenya’s status as the UN’s regional hub remains unopposed.
She said that the UN continues to work closely with the Kenyan government and people, focusing on efficiency, constructive collaboration, skills, and impact on sustainable development goals.
“Against these backgrounds, let me be very clear, there is no change of the United Nations status in Kenya. Nairobi’s role as the United Nations headquarters and multilateral hub was decided by the UN General Assembly. And despite financial challenges, this mandate remains secure and strong,” Ms Bangura said.
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