UNON Director-General, Mrs Zainab Hawa Bangura alongside the Executive Director of United Nations Environment Programme, Ms Inger Andersen, and the Executive Director of United Nations Human Settlements Programme, Ms Anaclaudia Rossbach, received H.E. Advocate Duma Boko, President of the Republic of Botswana During his visit, President Boko toured the newly constructed UNON office facilities, which reflect the United Nations’ continued investment…
Africa continues to advance and demands investment at scale, justice in global systems, and partnerships grounded in respect, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Tuesday. The UN chief was speaking at the opening of the Africa Forward Summit, co-hosted in Nairobi by Kenyan President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron. “ The name of this Summit captures the moment – and the mission,” he said. “ Africa is not waiting. Africa…
The United Nations on Monday launched a major expansion of its Nairobi headquarters, with Secretary-General António Guterres and Kenyan President William Ruto marking what officials described as a significant milestone for the Organization’s presence in Africa. 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…
UN’s $340 Million Nairobi Investment Signals Global Shift Toward Africa The United Nations is making one of its largest-ever infrastructure investments in Africa since its inception besides peacekeeping, with Secretary-General António Guterres visiting Kenya next week to mark a nearly USD 340 million expansion of its Nairobi headquarters — a move that brings the United Nations closer to the people it serves. The Secretary-General will join…
The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) hosted a solemn commemoration for the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Members of the diplomatic corps, Government Representatives, faith leaders, students, United Nations personnel and representatives of the Rwandan community in Kenya came together to mark this day. Under the theme ‘Remember-Unite-Renew’, the ceremony honored the memory of the more than…
On 23 March 2026, the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) welcomed H.E. Mr. Han Zheng, Vice President of the People’s Republic of China, during his official visit to Kenya. He was received by Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura, Under-Secretary-General and Director-General of UNON, alongside senior United Nations officials. In her remarks, Director-General Bangura expressed appreciation for China’s longstanding and substantive support to the United…
On 3 December 2025, the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) observed the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) under the theme “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress.” The event gathered colleagues from UNON, sister UN Agencies and persons with disabilities within UNON and in Kenya to reflect on progress, share experiences, and promote action toward a more inclusive society under the leadership…
On 2nd June 2025, The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) was honoured to welcome Her Excellency Nataša Pirc Musar, President of the Republic of Slovenia, for an official visit to the UNON complex. The President was warmly received by UNON Director-General Zainab Hawa Bangura, highlighting Slovenia’s commitment to promoting and protecting multilateralism. During her visit, emphasized the need to strengthen the work and mandate of UNON (United…
H.E. Mr. Alexander Stubb, President of the Republic of Finland, visited the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) on 14th May 2025 for a high-level meeting with the leadership of UNON, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). Hosted at the UN Gigiri Complex, the visit provided an opportunity for meaningful dialogue on the future of the United Nations, the role of the UN…
The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) marked this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) with a significant milestone—the re-launch of the Women Leaders Network. This initiative, originally established in 2013, aims to create an enabling environment for women in the UN system in Kenya to thrive, grow professionally, and advocate for gender equality within the organization. The event, held on March 18th, provided a platform for women leaders…
On 23 and 24 September 2024, the Director General of United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) Madam Zainab Hawa Bangura held briefings with Member States from the 5 Regional Groups: Group of African States (AG), Group of Asia-Pacific States (APG), Group of Eastern European States (EEG), Group of Latin American and Caribbean States (GRULAC), and Group of Western European and other States (WEOG) to provide an update on the GMP. The design of the GMP…
On November 1, 2023, the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) had the honor of hosting His Majesty King Charles III during his official visit to the only United Nations headquarters located in the Commonwealth. Two activities also took place to coincide with His Majesty’s visit. First, there was the inaugural in-person meeting of the Sustainable Market Initiative Africa Council, comprising private sector leaders from across the globe working…
A Kenyan peacekeeper, who recently completed her assignment in Darfur, Sudan is selected to receive the 2020 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award.
The 2021 edition of the Africa Dialogue Series (ADS), the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA)’s flagship event, begins today and will continue throughout May, which is also Africa month. This year’s ADS celebrates Africa’s identity, culture, history and achievements. It also brings together key stakeholders to discuss challenges and opportunities for Africa.
The Security Council has formally selected Secretary-General António Guterres as its nominee to serve a second five-year term in the UN’s top job. The recommendation, made in a resolution adopted by acclamation in a private meeting, now goes to the 193-member General Assembly for formal approval.