President William Ruto met with French President Emmanuel Macron in New York with the two leaders engaging in high-level diplomatic engagements between their two countries.
In an official statement, President Macron reaffirmed France's shared commitment with Kenya to sustainable development, regional peace, and global cooperation.
''With President William Ruto, we share a common commitment: that no country should have to choose between development and protecting the planet,'' Macron said.
Held in Seville, Spain, the meeting laid the groundwork for the upcoming Africa-France Summit set to take place in Nairobi in 2026.
The historic summit will mark the first time the Africa-France Summit is hosted outside France or a Francophone country, reflecting a deliberate shift in France's engagement strategy with the continent, embracing all African countries not just former colonies.
At the heart of the discussions between the two leaders was the Pact for Prosperity, People, and the Planet, a joint initiative launched in Paris in 2023.
Both Ruto and Macron emphasized that no country should be forced to choose between economic development and environmental protection.
Additionally, the two heads of state also reviewed bilateral projects between Kenya and France, particularly in the areas of energy transition, sustainable transport, and climate-smart agriculture. These initiatives are designed to align with Kenya's green growth agenda and France's global climate commitments.
Beyond these, regional security between Somalia and Sudan also grabbed the leaders' attention, with both of them affirming their commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region.
''In this context, we reaffirmed our shared commitment to peace and security in the Great Lakes region, Sudan, and Somalia,'' Macron revealed.
France pledged continued support for Kenya's peacekeeping and mediation efforts across East Africa.
Ruto, who is the current chairperson of the East African Community, has been on the frontline and played a pivotal role in regional diplomacy, calling for peace in both Somalia and Sudan.
