Kenya has achieved a major diplomatic milestone with the election of former Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba as the new Chairman of the G77 + China, the largest intergovernmental coalition of developing nations within the United Nations. Namwamba officially assumed office on July 3, 2025, succeeding Ambassador Wael Nasreldin Attiya of Egypt in a ceremony that marked the end of Egypt’s impactful tenure.
With 134 member states, the G77 + China represents the collective voice of the Global South, advocating for economic development, environmental justice, and equitable representation in global decision-making processes. The bloc was founded in 1964 with the aim of promoting the shared interests of developing nations and enhancing their negotiating capacity at the UN level.
Namwamba’s leadership comes at a critical moment for developing countries, as the world grapples with urgent climate challenges and a widening development gap. During the handover ceremony, Namwamba expressed Kenya’s readiness to champion South-South cooperation and inclusive environmental governance.
“Kenya embraces this responsibility with vision and resolve,” he said. “We will work to ensure that the voices of developing countries are not only heard but shape the outcomes of global environmental and development dialogues.”
Egypt’s tenure was praised for its strong focus on environmental diplomacy, particularly in ensuring equitable participation in global climate negotiations. Kenya is expected to continue and expand on this legacy, with an emphasis on climate justice, biodiversity protection, and the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The chairmanship of the G77 + China rotates on a regional basis, and Kenya’s turn signals a growing recognition of its diplomatic leadership on the world stage. As chair, Namwamba will guide the bloc’s strategy in key multilateral negotiations, including the UN climate summits and global development forums.
Kenya’s stewardship is also expected to elevate African and wider Global South perspectives in debates around technology transfer, debt relief, and fair financing mechanisms for sustainable development.
Namwamba’s appointment underscores Kenya’s rising influence in international diplomacy and its unwavering commitment to advocating for the interests of the developing world.
