Kenya formally joined the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member for a two-year term.
Regional peace and stability will shape Kenya’s agenda at the UNSC based on its 10-point agenda.
“Kenya will focus on matters that really matter which are peace in Somalia, supporting South Sudanese government, fighting terrorism, and work with regional governments to improve the East African region, ” President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Kenya’s pledges
- Building bridges: Strong advocate for a reformed, strengthened and representative United Nations rooted at the centre of a rules-based international system. Kenya will promote a culture of peace, tolerance and of respect for human dignity and aspirations.
- Regional peace and security: Build appropriate linkages between the UN and African bodies to help solve regional conflicts, or prevent them.
- Justice, human rights and democracy: Promote ideas that create a useful environment for a just society.
- Peace keeping operations: Seek to have the UNSC provide clear mandate and financial support for peacekeeping operations.
- Gender equality: Promote policies that will ensure women and men participate in conflict resolution programmes.
- Humanitarian action: Seek lasting solutions to challenges of forced migration.
- Climate change: Seek lasting solutions to security challenges caused by erratic climatic conditions.
- Youth empowerment: Promote actions that include youth participation in key programmes.
- Sustainable development: synergise UN SDGs for 2030 and AU’s Agenda 2063.
- Counter-terrorism: Promote regional and global cooperation against terror merchants.
Kenya won the UNSC non-permanent seat after beating Djibouti having garnered 129 votes against Djibouti’s 62 in the second round of voting at the UN headquarters in New York City.
In June, the General Assembly also elected four new members of the Security Council for 2021 and 2022 — India, Mexico, Norway and Ireland.
The Security Council has 10 non-permanent members. Five are permanent members, who have the right to veto resolutions: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. However, Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States have veto powers.
They will replace Belgium, Dominican Republic, Germany, Indonesia and South Africa. Estonia, Niger, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Tunisia and Vietnam will remain in the Council through the end of 2021.
