Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Ekitela Lokaale, has officially assumed the rotating Chairmanship of the African Group at the UN for the month of November.

The African Union Mission to the UN, through a post on X on November 1, 2025, highlighted Lokaale’s commitment to leading the 54 African member states with a unified voice on global matters.

In his statement, Lokaale expressed gratitude to his predecessors, saying, “It is my pleasure to assume the rotating position of Chair of the African Group for the month of November. I thank my predecessors for their able leadership, which has paved the way for my smooth assumption of this role.”

He outlined his priorities for the month, noting, “I intend to dedicate my efforts towards upholding the strong unity of the African Group, especially in view of the upcoming important UN Conferences, including the Second World Summit for Social Development 2025 and the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30), which will take place within the month.”

Focus on collaboration

Lokaale emphasised the need for stronger partnerships within the African Group and across the UN system. “Besides any emerging issues, I will also seek to strengthen the ongoing collaboration within the Group on the UN80 Initiative, the upcoming seventh session of the United Nations Environmental Assembly, and the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS+20) High-Level Meeting of the General Assembly, which will take place in the subsequent month,” he said.

He concluded his message with optimism, stating, “I thank you and look forward to the engagements.”

Advancing Kenya’s global influence

Lokaale’s appointment builds on his expanding international profile. On January 21, 2025, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei confirmed his selection as co-facilitator for a panel reviewing the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society, scheduled for July 7–11, 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland.

Sing’Oei described the appointment as “a great honour to him and recognition of Kenya’s leadership in technology”, emphasising the country’s growing influence in global digital policy.

In this role, Lokaale will partner with Lithuania’s Permanent Representative Rytis Paulauskas to oversee intergovernmental consultations focused on finalising modalities for the General Assembly’s review. Their work will address new digital challenges and align with the UN’s sustainable development goals..