- Ahunna Eziakonwa wants world powers to give African countries greater influence over international decisions
- The UN official says Africa must be treated as a partner in shaping the international system, amid concerns over unequal representation and unfulfilled global commitments
- Kenya will host the Trust Summit from October 21 to 23, where participants are expected to discuss accountability, public trust and reforms to international cooperation
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A senior United Nations official has called on world powers and international institutions to give Africa greater influence over decisions affecting its future, including development financing and the rules governing the global economy.
Source: UGC
Ahunna Eziakonwa, the UN Under-Secretary-General and special adviser to the secretary-general, made the call in Nairobi on Thursday, October 15, during a leadership meeting ahead of the Trust Summit scheduled for October 21–23.
Eziakonwa argued that global institutions could not rebuild public confidence while African countries remained on the receiving end of decisions in which they had limited influence.
“Africa is not asking for a seat at someone else’s table anymore. Africa is a co-architect of a system that is renewed, and not only repaired,” she said.
Why UN is calling for Africa to have greater influence over global decisions
She added that Africa must be recognised as a partner in shaping the international system rather than simply adapting to changes determined elsewhere.
The demand comes amid longstanding concerns about Africa’s representation in international institutions, access to development financing and influence over global economic rules. Questions have also persisted over whether international pledges on climate financing and development assistance translate into the resources promised.
“The starting point for trust is to treat Africa as a shaper of our common future, and not as a recipient of global change,” Eziakonwa said.
However, she stressed that calls for reform must go hand in hand with stronger accountability among African governments. Leaders on the continent, she argued, must demonstrate that they can deliver on commitments to their citizens, particularly in agriculture, education and public services.
“Trust is not rebuilt by grand declaration. It's rebuilt by commitment, one commitment after another, each with a named owner, a timeline, and a date on which we report back,” she said.
Eziakonwa said the Nairobi Call to Action and its framework for action were designed to turn promises into measurable commitments that could be tracked and assessed.
Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Abraham Korir Sing’Oei, also called for wider participation in global decision-making, saying governments and major institutions needed to create space for civil society and other non-state actors.
“If we are serious about rebuilding trust, states must open the door to greater engagement with society, and large institutions must make room for non-state actors,” Sing’Oei said.
He described the forthcoming summit as a platform where participants could work as equal partners to shape a more trustworthy future.
Source: UGC
Young people were also identified as key stakeholders in the reform process. Deborah Ndanu Nzomo, secretary-general of Kenya Model United Nations, said institutions needed to demonstrate that they valued young people's contributions.
“The future of multilateralism depends not only on whether young people believe in its institutions, but also on whether those institutions demonstrate that they believe in young people,” Nzomo said. “Trust must be mutual.”
What is expected to come out of the Trust Summit in Nairobi?
The Trust Summit, scheduled for October 21–23 in Nairobi, is expected to bring together political leaders, policymakers, business representatives, academics, civil society, media and young people.
Proposed outcomes include a Nairobi Statement on Global Trust, a summit report, a Trust Barometer dashboard, a joint task force to monitor implementation and an assessment of Africa’s trust landscape.
Whether the initiative leads to lasting change will depend on the willingness of governments and institutions to fulfil their commitments, report on progress and face scrutiny when promises go unmet.
Source: TUKO.co.ke