Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has reinforced its commitment to youth-driven diplomacy and international cooperation following the successful co-hosting of the 25th Annual Kenya Model United Nations (KMUN) Conference in Nairobi.
The conference, held on March 18, 2026, at the Kenya School of Government, Lower Kabete Campus, served as a strategic platform for engaging young leaders on pressing global issues and shaping Africa’s international agenda.
As part of the event, the Ministry convened a high-level Africa–Forward / Africa–France Pre-Summit Youth Segment under the theme “Strengthening Africa–France Dialogue Through Youth Leadership,” in preparation for the upcoming Africa–Forward Summit scheduled for May 2026.
The session brought together the Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Korir Sing’oei, and the French Ambassador to Kenya, Arnaud Suquet, alongside policymakers, development partners, KMUN delegates, and youth leaders.
Deliberations underscored the pivotal role of young people in shaping Africa’s future, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, climate change, and the green transition. The dialogue also functioned as a structured feeder platform, producing practical, youth-driven and solution-oriented recommendations to inform discussions at the May 2026 summit.
Key focus areas included youth and economic cooperation, innovation and technology partnerships, cultural and creative diplomacy, as well as climate action and sustainable development.
Participants highlighted both the opportunities and risks associated with emerging technologies, warning that excluding young Africans from their design and governance could deepen inequalities and limit economic participation. They called for targeted investments in digital infrastructure, skills development, and innovation ecosystems, while also addressing persistent challenges, including limited internet access, financing constraints, and intellectual property concerns.
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In his remarks, Dr. Sing’oei pointed to the growing erosion of global trust as a critical global challenge, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to positioning Nairobi as a global convening hub and fostering inclusive platforms that amplify youth voices in international discourse.
In a related engagement, the Ministry also hosted a high-level panel on global trust under the theme “Building Global Trust Through Youth Diplomacy, Leadership, and Innovation,” in collaboration with Strathmore University, Shujaaz Inc., and One Africa.
The panel examined declining trust in institutions and emphasized the need for ethical leadership, transparency, and inclusive governance. Stakeholders called for stronger youth participation in global decision-making processes as a pathway to rebuilding trust and strengthening accountability.
The dialogue forms part of preparations for the Global Trust Summit scheduled for August 2026, which aims to empower young people as catalysts for restoring trust, enhancing social cohesion, and advancing accountable leadership.
Overall, the engagements reflect broader stakeholder efforts to mainstream youth as critical actors in the implementation of Kenya’s Foreign Policy 2024 and to promote inclusive, forward-looking international cooperation.
