Guterres is also scheduled to join President William Ruto in presiding over the ground-breaking and official launch of a major expansion project at the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) in Gigiri.

By Irene Mwangi

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres is Nairobi for the Africa Forward Summit 2026 that brings together African leaders and global development partners.

Guterres was received at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale. The two-day summit is being co-hosted by President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron.

“Welcomed the United Nations Secretary-General @antonioguterres at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, marking the start of a major historic diplomatic gathering in the Capital,” Duale stated.

Over 30 African Heads of State and Government are expected to attend the summit alongside international leaders, policymakers, and development stakeholders.

Discussions will focus on sustainable development, economic cooperation, innovation, and strategies aimed at accelerating Africa’s transformation agenda.

Officials also welcomed Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, who arrived in the country to participate in the forum.

The summit is expected to provide a platform for strengthening Euro-African partnerships, particularly in the areas of climate action, technology transfer and youth empowerment.

The high-profile attendance reflects Kenya’s expanding influence in regional and global diplomacy, with Nairobi increasingly positioning itself as a hub for multilateral engagement.

Among those present during the arrival ceremony was Zainab Bangura, alongside other senior government and diplomatic officials.

Guterres is also scheduled to join President William Ruto in presiding over the groundbreaking and official launch of a major expansion project at the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) in Gigiri.

The large-scale redevelopment, estimated at about USD 340 million (approximately Sh44.2 billion), is designed to modernise and significantly expand the UN’s facilities in Nairobi, strengthening its position as a key centre for international diplomacy and sustainable development. The initiative further reinforces Nairobi’s unique status as the only UN headquarters located in the Global South.

According to the United Nations, the project will feature new climate-smart office buildings valued at USD 66.2 million (Sh8.6 billion), alongside upgraded conference infrastructure worth around USD 265.7 million (Sh34.5 billion).

Once completed, the facility will see a major boost in capacity, with conference and meeting rooms increasing from 14 to 30. Delegate capacity is also expected to rise from about 2,000 to 9,000 participants, making it one of the most advanced UN conference complexes globally.

The expansion is projected to elevate Nairobi’s standing as the third-largest UN duty station in the world, after New York and Geneva, and ahead of Vienna in terms of operational and conferencing scale.

Separately, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has committed an additional USD 11.2 million (Sh1.6 billion) toward new office infrastructure within the Gigiri complex.

Following the launch event, the UN chief is expected to address the media and speak on pressing global and regional issues affecting Africa and the wider international community.

Key topics expected in his remarks include ongoing conflicts in Sudan, South Sudan, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Sahel region, all of which continue to drive displacement and humanitarian need.

He is also expected to renew calls for reforms to the United Nations Security Council, with emphasis on stronger African representation in global decision-making structures.

Other anticipated agenda points include concerns over global economic inequality, rising borrowing costs affecting African economies, and the wider impact of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East on food security and economic stability across the continent.

The UN says the Nairobi expansion reflects a broader strategy to decentralise global governance and bring international institutions closer to regions most affected by climate change, conflict, and development challenges.

Kenya continues to host the United Nations Office at Nairobi, which serves as the UN’s main headquarters in Africa, coordinating environmental, humanitarian, and development programmes across the continent. Capital News