President William Ruto has strongly questioned the continued relevance and legitimacy of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), calling for urgent reforms to reflect modern geopolitical realities. Speaking at Peking University during his state visit to China, Ruto criticized the Council’s structure and accused its permanent members of resisting much-needed change.
“The current structure of the UN and particularly the UN Security Council would not be acceptable in any other context outside the post-World War II environment,” Ruto said, arguing that the Council’s integrity has been compromised by actions of some of its own members. Without naming names directly, he noted that one permanent member is actively invading another country, while another frequently takes partisan stances that contradict Council resolutions.
The UNSC’s permanent members China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States have long dominated global decision-making, a situation Ruto described as out of step with today’s international landscape. He echoed previous calls by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who in 2023 labeled the Council’s structure as “outdated” and supported a permanent seat for Africa to address historical underrepresentation.
Ruto’s keynote address touched on broader global challenges, including climate change, international trade, and the global financial architecture. He emphasized the need to rethink global trade frameworks, noting that much of today’s trade happens within global supply chains, which are poorly reflected in traditional export-import data.
The president also praised China’s scholarship programs and encouraged deeper collaboration in STEM education and the creative economy. On climate, he highlighted the disproportionate impact Africa suffers despite contributing the least to global emissions. He accused some nations in the Global North of putting national interests ahead of collective environmental responsibility.
Furthermore, Ruto criticized the growing global trade war and inequities in financial systems, urging reforms that would create a more inclusive and fair economic order. His address reflected Kenya’s growing voice in global diplomacy, advocating for equity, sustainability, and a more representative international system.
