Nairobi poised as global diplomatic hub with Sh44 billion UN expansion
The development will position Nairobi as one of only four cities in the world, alongside New York, Geneva, and Vienna, to host multiple United Nations headquarters, further solidifying its standing as a strategic player in international affairs.
Nairobi is poised to cement its status as a global diplomatic centre following a landmark $340 million (approximately Sh44 billion) investment by the United Nations that will see three new global offices, UN Women, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), established in the Kenyan capital by 2026.
As part of its UN80 initiative, the global body is looking to relocate certain agencies and programmes from high-cost duty stations to more cost-effective and strategically positioned locations in order to enhance operational efficiency.
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The investment will, among other things, fund a state-of-the-art 9,000-seat Assembly Hall and 30 technologically advanced conference rooms within the UN Complex in Gigiri, Nairobi, which already houses the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN-Habitat headquarters.
The Gigiri office currently hosts 86 UN offices, becoming the fastest-growing UN station globally.
The development will position Nairobi as one of only four cities in the world, alongside New York, Geneva, and Vienna, to host multiple United Nations headquarters, further solidifying its standing as a strategic player in international affairs.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has since welcomed the move, noting that Nairobi's strategic location and available infrastructure make it a natural choice to host the new UN headquarters.
Rwanda and Botswana have also thrown their hats into the ring. In a statement addressed to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and signed by Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente last week, Rwanda positioned itself as an enabling environment for multilateral operations.
Ngirente also stated Rwanda's political stability, institutional efficiency and strong air connectivity as key advantages for hosting a long-term UN campus in the heart of Kigali.
The Rwandese government also offered to provide office facilities and essential services, along with a full package of privileges, immunities and tax exemptions consistent with UN standards.
"The Government of Rwanda is prepared to offer office facilities and essential services, while actively partnering on the development of a long-term UN campus in the heart of the city of Kigali. Our proposal also includes the full package of privileges, immunities and tax exemptions in accordance with UN standards," Ngirente said.
The UN restructuring is driven by financial pressures facing various UN agencies. A recent directive called on offices in New York and Geneva to pinpoint functions that can be shifted to more affordable locations.
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