Mudavadi rallies Global South for stronger UN reforms and fairer governance
By Kenneth Mwenda, September 25, 2025Kenya has called for bold reforms at the United Nations, urging fairer representation of developing countries in global governance. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi made the appeal during the 49th Annual Meeting of the Group of 77 and China, held on the sidelines of the 80th anniversary of the UN in New York.
According to his X post on Thursday, September 25, 2025, Mudavadi said the UN Charter remains the foundation of international cooperation and must continue to guide global action.
He stressed that its principles of peace, sustainable development, and human rights are as relevant today as they were in 1945. However, he warned that the current global order faces growing strain, with developing nations often sidelined.
“I underscored that the reforms we pursue, including the UN80 Initiative, should strengthen multilateralism, amplify the voice and representation of developing countries, and ensure greater equity in global governance,” the post reads.
He urged stronger efforts to close the financing gap for the 2030 Agenda. According to him, this requires scaling up concessional funding, expanding debt relief for distressed nations, and fulfilling long-standing Official Development Assistance commitments. He also pressed for innovative financing aligned with the Sevilla Commitment.
On climate change, Mudavadi described the threat as existential. He called for expanded adaptation finance, faster technology transfer, and global solidarity to protect vulnerable communities. He also raised the need to bridge the digital divide and ensure transparent governance of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.
Focus shifts to health security
While Mudavadi focused on governance, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale highlighted health security during bilateral talks with the United States. Meeting US officials in New York, Duale reaffirmed Kenya’s nearly two-decade partnership through PEPFAR and the President’s Malaria Initiative. These programmes have provided life-saving HIV treatment to more than 1.4 million Kenyans.
Duale said future cooperation should emphasise sustainability and reduced donor reliance under the America First Global Health Strategy.
“Key priorities include continuity of care, predictable funding, transparency, local manufacturing, technology transfer, and establishing a Kenya–US Technical Coordination Mechanism,” he posted.
He also pointed to ongoing reforms in Kenya’s health system, including restructuring the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority, improving disease surveillance, and investing in digital health.
Ruto pushes Africa reforms
President William Ruto also used the UN stage to push Africa’s case for reform. He demanded at least two permanent seats with full rights and two additional non-permanent seats for Africa on the Security Council.
Ruto accused the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank of biased lending practices that favour wealthy nations. He cited the IMF’s recent allocation of Special Drawing Rights, where 64 per cent went to rich countries with little need for liquidity support, while poorer states received just 2.4 per cent.
“The mismatch between shareholders and stakeholders has become starkly visible. Current systems trap vulnerable economies in cycles of debt, while the prosperous enjoy softer terms. This is unjust and unsustainable,” Ruto said.
Alongside his speech, Ruto signed a landmark climate and economic partnership with California Governor Gavin Newsom. The deal covers renewable energy, sustainable transport, green ports, and climate-smart agriculture.
It also establishes a Centre of Excellence on Clean Transport Systems in Kenya, making the country the first in Africa to seal such an agreement with California, the world’s fourth-largest economy.