Beijing, China – April 23, 2025 — During a high-profile state visit to China, Kenyan President William Ruto delivered a bold and visionary appeal for a new world order, one that elevates the voices and interests of nations in the Global South. His remarks have sparked fresh debate on the future of global governance, economic equity, and geopolitical alignment.

Standing before Chinese leaders and international dignitaries, President Ruto urged for the restructuring of global financial and security systems, arguing that existing institutions no longer reflect the realities of an interconnected, multipolar world. He called on global powers to acknowledge and incorporate the perspectives of developing nations—particularly those across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

“The current global architecture was built for a world that no longer exists,” Ruto said. “We must reconstruct a system that is fair, inclusive, and responsive to the aspirations of the Global South.”

Reforming the Global Financial Order

At the heart of Ruto’s address was a demand for sweeping reforms to financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. He criticized their governance structures as outdated and skewed toward the interests of the developed world.

Ruto proposed a model where African and other developing nations would have greater influence over funding decisions, credit terms, and development priorities. The current lending frameworks, he argued, often burden poor countries with unsustainable debt and little autonomy.

A New Security Framework

Beyond economics, Ruto called for a reimagining of international security structures. He pointed to the United Nations Security Council as emblematic of an era in need of change—an institution whose permanent membership has not evolved in decades despite major geopolitical shifts.

“Africa, home to 1.4 billion people and rising regional powers, cannot continue to be a spectator in decisions that affect global peace and stability,” Ruto stated.

Embracing South-South Solidarity

Ruto’s speech also highlighted the growing importance of South-South cooperation—strategic partnerships between developing countries. He encouraged Global South nations to deepen collaboration through trade, technology transfer, and mutual investment.

His visit culminated in the signing of multiple agreements with China, totaling over KSh 126 billion in new investments. These include infrastructure development, manufacturing, and green energy projects across Kenya.

A Diplomatic Pivot

President Ruto’s remarks signal a continued pivot in Kenya’s foreign policy—balancing traditional Western alliances with emerging partnerships across Asia and Latin America. Analysts see this as a move toward greater self-determination and a rejection of dependency models that have long defined Africa’s role on the world stage.

What’s Next?

Ruto’s call may mark a turning point in how developing nations engage with global power centers. As countries across the Global South rally around similar sentiments, the pressure on international institutions to evolve may intensify.

For Kenya, it reinforces the country’s position as a diplomatic leader in Africa and a growing force in shaping the global agenda.