President William Ruto has congratulated former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon following the conferment of Kenya’s highest national honour, the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart.
In a message from State House, President Ruto praised Ban Ki-moon’s exceptional global leadership, describing the award as a tribute to his tireless advocacy for peace, justice, and sustainable development.
Ruto stated that Ban’s legacy continues to resonate strongly in Africa, particularly in the climate action space.
As the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations, your visionary leadership brought climate change to the forefront of the global agenda, beginning with the 2007 Climate Change Summit. Your efforts galvanised international action that remains critical as Africa confronts the harsh realities of a changing climate,” President Ruto said.
Ruto also praised Ban’s transformative reforms at the UN, which enabled the organization to respond more robustly to global crises such as pandemics, food and energy insecurity, and the financial crisis.
“Your dedication to the Millennium Development Goals delivered tangible progress for many, especially across Africa,” he added.
The Head of State emphasized Ban Ki-moon’s lifelong commitment to human rights and gender equality, citing the establishment of UN Women and his ongoing efforts to combat violence against women as examples of his inclusive development vision.
The congratulatory message comes ahead of the groundbreaking of the Global Centre on Adaptation’s new headquarters in Nairobi, a project closely linked to Ban Ki-moon’s climate leadership.
President Ruto described the centre as “a symbol of our shared resolve to build resilience and secure a sustainable future.”
“Kenya is proud to honour you for your lifetime of service to humanity,” Ruto concluded. “May this award serve as our profound appreciation of your vision, dedication, and the lasting impact of your work.”
