At the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta spoke to a largely empty hall, according to reports from the event. The seating area had several unoccupied seats as President Kenyatta began his address.
Prior to traveling to New York, President Kenyatta mentioned that he would be addressing the UN General Assembly plenary session twice, co-chairing multiple discussions, including one with Chinese President Xi Jinping, and participating in a security forum with then-US President Barack Obama.
Additionally, the President noted that he would meet with Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. There were earlier indications that he might also meet with Holy Father Pope Francis, though this was not confirmed.
President Kenyatta stated, "I will make sure Kenya’s voice is heard as the world adopts the new development agenda, completing a process which Kenya has actively participated in."
The international community was poised to adopt new Sustainable Development Goals following the conclusion of the Millennium Development Goals period, which spanned from 2000 to 2015.
According to President Kenyatta, "The new SDGs we will adopt are an ambitious plan for collective action to transform the fate of humanity, by lifting all people out of poverty, while remaining in harmony with our planet."
