On Thursday evening, President William Ruto departed Kenya for a significant diplomatic mission, attending the 50th G7 summit in Italy and a subsequent peace summit in Switzerland. According to a communique from State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, Ruto’s itinerary includes addressing key global challenges and advocating for a fairer international financial system.
G7 Summit in Italy
President Ruto will first attend the G7 summit in Apulia, Italy. During this summit, he is expected to highlight the importance of Africa’s collaboration with other nations to address global issues such as climate change and conflicts. Ruto’s agenda includes pushing for reforms to achieve a fairer international financial system, emphasizing Africa’s potential for green industrialization, digital revolution, and innovation.
Peace Summit in Switzerland
Following the G7 summit, Ruto will travel to Switzerland for the inaugural summit on peace in Ukraine, set to take place in Burgenstock. Here, he will join other Heads of State and Government to discuss pathways to achieving peace in Ukraine. Ruto plans to address the adverse impacts of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and propose solutions based on Kenya’s experiences in mediation and peacebuilding.
Advocacy for Global Reforms
At both summits, President Ruto will underscore African leaders’ commitment to fostering global prosperity through a more representative and effective multilateral system. He will advocate for the African Union (AU) reforms aimed at enhancing trade and development, peace and stability, and greater global participation. As the AU Champion for Institutional Reform, Ruto will outline these reforms, stressing the need for a reformed, more democratic, and effective United Nations system to better tackle global peace and security challenges.
Bilateral Talks
In addition to his addresses at the summits, President Ruto is scheduled to hold several bilateral talks with various Heads of State and Government on the sidelines, furthering Kenya’s diplomatic engagements and fostering international cooperation.
This trip underscores President Ruto’s role in elevating Africa’s voice on the global stage, advocating for systemic reforms, and seeking collaborative solutions to global challenges.
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