The ceremony included the inauguration of new office buildings and the groundbreaking of a new conference facility at the UN Office at Nairobi (UNON), which will substantially expand the Organization¡¯s footprint in Africa.
Approved by the UN General Assembly, the $340 million project is the largest investment undertaken by the UN Secretariat in Africa in its 80-year history, strengthening Nairobi¡¯s role as a global centre for diplomacy and multilateral cooperation.
¡°These are more than buildings,¡± the Secretary-General said during a press encounter. ¡°They are a vote of confidence in Africa¡¯s place at the heart of international cooperation.¡±
A UN closer to the people it serves
The project will increase conference capacity at UNON from 2,000 to 9,000 participants, including through the construction of a new assembly hall and expanded meeting facilities.
Mr. Guterres said the expansion reflects the UN¡¯s broader efforts to bring its work closer to the regions most affected by global challenges.
¡°The Â鶹APP must be closer to the people it serves ¨C connected to their realities and equipped to support the solutions they are building,¡± he said.
