President William Ruto touched down in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Sunday evening for the Second United Nations Food Systems Summit Stocktake, where global leaders are gathering to assess progress on sustainable food systems.
He was received at Bole International Airport by Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Temesgen Tiruneh.
During the summit, President Ruto is expected to deliver Kenya’s national statement, reaffirming the country’s commitment to reshaping food systems in ways that support sustainable development and improve resilience against climate change.
Ahead of the summit, Ruto held discussions with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the National Palace, emphasizing the longstanding ties between the two nations. “Kenya and Ethiopia enjoy a deep-rooted partnership, built on mutual respect and good neighbourliness,” he said. “This relationship has fostered stability and strong cooperation across the Horn of Africa.”
He further highlighted the Special Status Agreement signed in 2012, which continues to serve as the foundation for collaboration in critical areas such as infrastructure, energy, trade, investment, and regional integration.
The President’s itinerary includes bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit with several key leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, among others.
Ruto’s presence at the summit underscores Kenya’s regional leadership role in addressing food insecurity, climate adaptation, and sustainable development across Africa.
