DOHA, Qatar — President William Ruto has called on world leaders to restore global solidarity in tackling poverty and inequality, warning that the spirit of cooperation forged three decades ago in Copenhagen is “fraying” amid deepening crises and growing nationalism.
Speaking at the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar, Ruto said the world risks “retreating into isolation” at a time when collective action is most needed to address social and economic disparities, climate shocks, and debt distress.
“Thirty years ago, the world spoke with one accord and acted with common purpose. Today, that sense of shared conviction has significantly dimmed,” Ruto told the summit. “Faced with crises from climate shocks to unequal trade, nations are too often divided by competing interests and short-term calculations.”
The president urged global leaders to rebuild trust and reaffirm commitments to inclusive growth, equitable trade, and reform of international systems that he said “privilege power over partnership.”
Showcasing Kenya’s Social Transformation Agenda
Ruto highlighted Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda as an example of people-centered development, outlining progress in education, health, housing, and digital inclusion.
He said the government has hired 76,000 new teachers in the past three years, with the number expected to reach 100,000 by January 2026, improving the teacher-to-learner ratio to 1:29.
Kenya is also transitioning fully to a Competency-Based Education and Training system, designed to equip learners with practical and market-ready skills.
The president cited the Hustler Fund, which he said has disbursed KSh80 billion ($615 million) to 26.7 million Kenyans, including 5 million who have restored their creditworthiness through consistent loan repayments.
He also pointed to new youth empowerment efforts, such as the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement Project, aimed at reaching one million young Kenyans through training, startup financing, and access to public procurement.
Expanding Jobs, Housing, and Health Coverage
Ruto said the government’s Affordable Housing Programme is creating jobs and expanding inclusion, with over 230,000 units under construction and more than 320,000 Kenyans employed in related projects.
He added that labour mobility programmes have helped 400,000 Kenyans secure jobs abroad, including over 70,000 in Qatar, boosting remittances that support local livelihoods.
In the digital economy, two million Kenyans have been trained in digital literacy, and more than 300,000 youth have found online work in e-commerce and outsourcing.
Ruto further noted major strides in healthcare coverage, with the number of insured Kenyans rising from 8 million in 2023 to 27.2 million, ensuring that “no one is denied healthcare due to inability to pay.”
Call for UN Reform
Turning to the global stage, Ruto said the ongoing UN@80 reforms must protect the organization’s founding balance between peace and security, human rights, and development.
“The United Nations must remain the foremost guardian of global peace, but it must also be a catalyst for prosperity and a champion of human dignity,” he said.
He urged the Doha Summit to “renew our shared resolve to eradicate poverty, create decent work, and advance social inclusion as the surest path to a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable world.”
