Mercy Wanjau, Secretary to the Cabinet, during the summit

The inaugural Trust Summit in Nairobi has adopted a 29-point framework proposing new mechanisms to rebuild confidence in public institutions and strengthen international cooperation.

The Nairobi Call to Action on Global Trust, adopted at the three-day summit that ended on Friday, proposes a Coalition on Global Trust, a Nairobi Trust Council to be hosted by Kenya, and a Global Trust Facility at the United Nations.

The proposed facility would be a voluntary financing mechanism supported by state and non-state contributors over an initial four-year period.

It would be administered by the United Nations Development Programme, subject to further development and implementation.

The summit, held from October 21 to 23 under the theme “Weaving Trust: Binding Strands for a Stronger Global Order”, brought together government representatives, international organisations, business leaders, civil society, academics, technology experts, media and young people.

The Call to Action identifies four priorities: restoring trust in public institutions, reforming multilateral institutions, strengthening trust in the digital age, and advancing inclusion and belonging.

It proposes an annual Regulatory Trust Index at national, regional and global levels to assess public confidence in regulatory institutions and identify areas for reform.

The framework also calls for stronger regulatory cooperation and mutual recognition, including through the East African Community and the African Continental Free Trade Area, as well as subnational peer-review mechanisms to strengthen accountability.

On multilateral institutions, the framework calls for reforms to make them more representative, transparent and accountable.

It proposes a review conference on the United Nations Charter under Article 109, stronger global health governance and improved coordination among regional and continental organisations working to prevent and resolve conflicts.

The Call to Action also says climate commitments should be matched by predictable financing, technology transfer and capacity building, particularly for countries facing disproportionate climate risks.

On digital governance, the framework urges accelerated implementation of the Global Digital Compact and stronger international cooperation on artificial intelligence governance.

It also calls for greater African participation in global digital governance, transparency around platform algorithms and synthetic content, and stronger protections for independent journalism and scientific integrity.

Participants during the Summit

The framework further calls for children, young people, women, persons with disabilities, displaced persons and excluded communities to participate meaningfully in decisions affecting their lives.

It proposes expanded access to employment, entrepreneurship and finance for young people, while recognising sport, culture and the creative economy as tools for strengthening social cohesion.

The proposed Coalition on Global Trust would provide a platform for governments and non-state actors to share knowledge, coordinate initiatives and advance commitments across borders and sectors.

The Nairobi Trust Council is envisaged as a body bringing together figures from the public, private and philanthropic sectors to review progress and encourage accountability.

The Summit Secretariat will develop a Framework for Action with monitoring, tracking and reporting arrangements, including biennial reviews.

The Call to Action also encourages international organisations, including the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, to undertake a biennial study on the economic costs of distrust.

“Trust is a public good that must be deliberately nurtured, financed and strengthened. The true measure of this Summit will be the commitments we translate into tangible outcomes for our citizens,” said Korir Sing’Oei, Foreign Affairs PS.

Sing’Oei said the next phase would focus on developing an implementation plan and taking public engagement campaigns to counties.

He said the campaigns would enable regulators and public institutions to explain their decisions, demonstrate accountability and show citizens how they protect the public interest.

“The Nairobi Call to Action moves the world from diagnosing the trust deficit to doing something about it. Trust is a global public good, and no institution, sector or country can rebuild it alone,” said Awel Uwihanganye, Chief Executive Officer of the Trust Summit.

“We invite every government, business, community and young person to join us,” he added.

The agreement also affirms Africa’s role as an equal partner in shaping global governance, financial cooperation, digital inclusion and access to global public goods.

Participants stressed that young people should be recognised as active contributors to institutional reform, economic development and international cooperation.

The summit is expected to be held every two years, with consideration being given to extending the Trust Dialogues to regional and international platforms.