President William Ruto arrived in Addis Ababa on Sunday evening to attend the Second United Nations Food Systems Summit Stocktake, a high-level forum aimed at evaluating global efforts to transform food systems for sustainability, food security, and climate resilience.
President Ruto was received at Bole International Airport by Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh, ahead of his scheduled engagements at the summit. His visit underscores Kenya’s active role in shaping the regional and global food security agenda.
At the summit, President Ruto is expected to deliver Kenya’s national statement, reaffirming the country’s commitment to overhauling food systems in ways that promote sustainable development and strengthen resilience against climate shocks. Kenya has been a vocal advocate for rethinking agricultural practices and enhancing food supply chains to address both hunger and environmental degradation.
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), President Ruto disclosed that he had held bilateral discussions with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the National Palace prior to the summit’s opening. The two leaders reiterated the long-standing diplomatic and economic ties between Kenya and Ethiopia.
“Kenya and Ethiopia share a deep and historically robust relationship grounded in good neighbourliness and strong diplomatic ties,” President Ruto stated. “This enduring partnership has been characterised by mutual respect and cooperation, fostering stability and collaboration in the Horn of Africa.”
He further highlighted that bilateral relations are structured under the Special Status Agreement signed in 2012. The agreement provides a framework for collaboration in key sectors including infrastructure development, energy, trade and investment, and regional integration.
While in Addis Ababa, President Ruto is also scheduled to hold a series of high-level bilateral meetings on the summit’s sidelines. Among the leaders he will engage with are Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf. These discussions are expected to focus on strengthening partnerships in agriculture, climate adaptation, and cross-border cooperation.
The Second UN Food Systems Summit Stocktake comes at a time of growing global concern over food insecurity, climate change, and geopolitical instability. President Ruto’s participation affirms Kenya’s dedication to collaborative approaches and evidence-based solutions to build equitable, sustainable, and climate-smart food systems.
Written By Rodney Mbua
