United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres gives a speech during a groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of the UN headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, May 11, 2026. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Kenyan President William Ruto on Monday launched a 340-million-U.S.-dollar expansion project at the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON). Once completed by 2029, the expansion project will position Nairobi as the third-largest UN global hub after New York and Geneva, with Vienna retaining the fourth position. (Xinhua/Yang Guang)
NAIROBI, May 11 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Kenyan President William Ruto on Monday launched a 340-million-U.S.-dollar expansion project at the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON).
The two leaders presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of conference facilities and the inauguration of ultra-modern and climate-resilient office blocks, cementing Nairobi's status as a diplomatic hub in the Global South.
Approved by the General Assembly, the UNON expansion project focuses on the construction of new green office blocks for 66.2 million dollars and the upgrading of conference facilities at a cost of 265.7 million dollars, increasing the number of meeting rooms from 14 to 30 and seating capacity from 2,000 to 9,000 delegates.
Once completed by 2029, the expansion project will position Nairobi as the third-largest UN global hub after New York and Geneva, with Vienna retaining the fourth position.
Ruto said the expansion of UN offices in Nairobi aligns with Kenya's commitment to multilateral efforts aimed at modernizing the global body and enhancing its capacity to address challenges facing humanity.
"As the only UN headquarters in the Global South, Nairobi stands as a powerful symbol that the United Nations truly belongs to all the peoples of the world and reflects the shared aspirations of humanity," Ruto said.
More than 70 UN agencies, funds, and programs are hosted at UNON alongside over 6,000 staff members. Ruto said Kenya will invest in supportive infrastructure such as roads, power, clean water, sanitation, health, and security to enhance the delivery of services to the most vulnerable across the region.
Ruto added that the groundbreaking ceremony for the major expansion works at UNON marked a historic milestone for Kenya, the UN, and the future of multilateral cooperation.
"The launch of the United Nations conference facilities expansion project reaffirms Kenya's steadfast commitment to international diplomacy, sustainable development, and the shared values that continue to unite member states in pursuit of a more peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous world," Ruto said.
For his part, Guterres said both the groundbreaking ceremony for the new assembly hall and the inauguration of new office blocks reflect the UN's commitment to placing Africa at the heart of future efforts to reshape multilateralism.
"As we mark the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, we are reimagining how we work, how we deliver, and how we lead. We do so recognizing the role of this great continent," Guterres said.
"Africa is a driver of solutions, a source of innovation, and a voice of moral clarity in our shared pursuit of peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights," he added.
Guterres said the expansion project also reaffirms the commitment of multilateral institutions to bringing services closer to the people they serve while fostering enduring partnerships. ■
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (6th L) and Kenyan President William Ruto (5th L) attend a groundbreaking ceremony at the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) in Nairobi, Kenya, May 11, 2026. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Kenyan President William Ruto on Monday launched a 340-million-U.S.-dollar expansion project at the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON). Once completed by 2029, the expansion project will position Nairobi as the third-largest UN global hub after New York and Geneva, with Vienna retaining the fourth position. (Xinhua/Yang Guang)
Kenyan President William Ruto gives a speech during a groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of the UN headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, May 11, 2026. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Kenyan President William Ruto on Monday launched a 340-million-U.S.-dollar expansion project at the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON). Once completed by 2029, the expansion project will position Nairobi as the third-largest UN global hub after New York and Geneva, with Vienna retaining the fourth position. (Xinhua/Yang Guang)
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (5th L) and Kenyan President William Ruto (4th L) attend a groundbreaking ceremony at the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) in Nairobi, Kenya, May 11, 2026. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Kenyan President William Ruto on Monday launched a 340-million-U.S.-dollar expansion project at the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON). Once completed by 2029, the expansion project will position Nairobi as the third-largest UN global hub after New York and Geneva, with Vienna retaining the fourth position. (Xinhua/Yang Guang)
