- The inaugural Nairobi Trust Summit adopted a 29-point plan proposing reforms to rebuild confidence in public institutions
- The proposals include a Nairobi Trust Council, a Coalition on Global Trust and a voluntary funding facility at the United Nations
- The framework prioritises institutional accountability, multilateral reform, digital trust and greater inclusion of young people
Harry Ivan Mboto is a Current Affairs and Politics Editor at TUKO.co.ke, covering general news. Mboto has five years of journalism experience and joined TUKO.co.ke in 2024
The inaugural Trust Summit 2026 has adopted a 29-point Nairobi Call to Action on Global Trust, proposing reforms to public institutions, international organisations and digital governance to restore public confidence.
Source: UGC
The three-day summit, held in Nairobi from Wednesday, October 21, to Friday, October 23, brought together government officials, business leaders, civil society representatives, academics, media professionals and young people to discuss the growing trust deficit and its impact on global stability and prosperity.
The agreement proposes three mechanisms to sustain the initiative beyond the summit, including a Coalition on Global Trust, a Nairobi Trust Council to be hosted by Kenya, and a proposed Global Trust Facility at the United Nations to finance initiatives aimed at strengthening public institutions.
Korir Sing’Oei, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Foreign Affairs, said rebuilding trust required institutions to demonstrate accountability and deliver tangible results rather than rely on public messaging.
“Trust is a public good that must be deliberately nurtured, financed and strengthened. The true measure of this Summit will be the commitments we translate into tangible outcomes for our citizens,” Sing’Oei said.
He added that the next phase would focus on developing an implementation plan and taking public engagement campaigns to counties, allowing regulators and public institutions to explain their decisions and demonstrate how they protect the public interest.
What are the four priorities of the Nairobi call to action?
The 29-point framework identifies four key areas for rebuilding public confidence.
The first focuses on restoring trust in public institutions through a proposed annual Regulatory Trust Index to measure confidence in regulatory bodies and identify areas requiring reform. It also calls for stronger cooperation among regulators to reduce unnecessary compliance costs.
The second priority calls for reforms to multilateral institutions and the global financial system to make them more representative, transparent and accountable. It also highlights the need for predictable climate financing, technology transfer and stronger global health governance.
The third focuses on trust in the digital age, calling for greater international cooperation on artificial intelligence, transparency around digital platform algorithms and synthetic content, and stronger protections for independent journalism and scientific integrity.
The fourth seeks to promote inclusion by ensuring young people, women, persons with disabilities, displaced people and other excluded communities participate meaningfully in decisions affecting them. It also advocates greater access to employment, entrepreneurship and finance.
How will the proposed trust mechanisms work?
The proposed Coalition on Global Trust would provide a platform for governments and non-state actors to share knowledge, coordinate initiatives and implement commitments across countries and sectors.
Meanwhile, the Nairobi Trust Council would bring together figures from the public, private and philanthropic sectors to review progress and encourage accountability.
Participants also agreed to champion a proposed Global Trust Facility at the United Nations. The voluntary financing mechanism, envisaged to operate over an initial four-year period, would be administered by the United Nations Development Programme, subject to further development and implementation.
A summit secretariat will develop a framework for action, including monitoring, reporting and biennial reviews. The summit is also expected to convene every two years, with plans to extend its trust dialogues to regional and international platforms.
Awel Uwihanganye, Chief Executive Officer of the Trust Summit, said the agreement marked a shift from identifying the problem to pursuing practical solutions.
“The Nairobi call to action moves the world from diagnosing the trust deficit to doing something about it. Trust is a global public good, and no institution, sector or country can rebuild it alone,” Uwihanganye said.
“We invite every government, business, community and young person to join us,” he added.
Source: TUKO.co.ke