Kenyan President William Ruto has used his address to the UN General Assembly in New York to call for a significant restructuring of the UN Security Council. Demanding two permanent seats for Africa with veto power and two additional non-permanent seats, Ruto criticised the UN for its "disregard" for the voices of the continent's 54 nations. He argued that Africa's exclusion is "unacceptable, unfair, and grossly unjust" and that the UN's own survival depends on reflecting "today's realities." Ruto also highlighted Africa's substantial contributions to peacekeeping missions, despite bearing the heaviest costs of instability. Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the UNGA, he met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss strengthening trade relations, including the renewal of the expiring African Growth and Opportunity Act.
