Kenya Reaffirms Support for UN Reforms as Fifth Committee Meets in Nairobi
Kenya Reaffirms Support for UN Reforms as Fifth Committee Meets in Nairobi
Kenya has reiterated its commitment to a stronger, more inclusive United Nations as senior diplomats and officials from the UN General Assembly’s Fifth Committee convened in Nairobi to deliberate on governance, financing, and institutional reform.
Speaking during the meeting, Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Dr Korir SingOei underscored the pivotal role of the Fifth Committee in safeguarding the UN’s operational effectiveness. He noted that decisions on administrative and budgetary matters directly influence the organization’s capacity to deliver humanitarian assistance, advance development programmes, and sustain peace operations globally.
Dr SingOei also highlighted the strategic significance of the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), the only UN headquarters located in the Global South. He described UNON as both a symbol and an operational anchor of geographical balance, particularly relevant in the context of ongoing global conflicts, humanitarian emergencies, and development challenges.
Kenya commended the Fifth Committee for its support of UNON’s modernization, including the near completion of office blocks A to J, which offer environmentally sustainable and accessible facilities while expanding capacity for Secretariat functions. Officials emphasized that additional investments, especially in conference infrastructure, remain critical for Nairobi to operate on par with other UN headquarters in New York, Geneva, and Vienna.
The Government of Kenya has invested more than US$1 billion in host-country support, covering infrastructure, utilities, road access, ICT, security, and the newly established United Nations One-Stop Centre. The centre consolidates administrative services for UN personnel and diplomats. According to Dr SingOei, these investments demonstrate Kenya’s firm commitment to effective multilateral diplomacy.
UNON Director-General Zainab Hawa Bangura welcomed the Fifth Committee delegation, noting that the Nairobi office now supports personnel across nearly 100 offices and over 50 UN entities. She highlighted the strong partnership with Kenyan authorities, pointing to innovations such as expedited visa processing, coordinated security arrangements, and integrated government services within the UN complex.
The delegation, led by Vice Chair of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly Erick Bjork and comprising representatives from Sweden and other member states, expressed appreciation for Kenya’s hospitality and openness. Delegates said first-hand engagement with UNON would help inform future budget deliberations and strengthen confidence in Nairobi as a UN duty station.
The visit comes amid broader discussions on UN reform and efficiency, including efforts to decentralize operations and bring the organization closer to the communities it serves. Participants noted that reinforcing UNON aligns with these goals and enhances the UN’s credibility in the Global South.
Kenyan and UN officials concluded by reaffirming their shared commitment to a strong, efficient, and truly global United Nations, citing Nairobi as a model of effective collaboration between host governments, member states, and the UN Secretariat.