United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Kenyan President William Ruto on Monday launched a $340-million expansion project at the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON).

The two leaders presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of conference facilities and the inauguration of ultra-modern and climate-resilient office blocks, cementing Nairobi's status as a diplomatic hub in the Global South.

Approved by the General Assembly, the UNON expansion project focuses on the construction of new green office blocks for 66.2 million dollars and the upgrading of conference facilities at a cost of 265.7 million dollars, increasing the number of meeting rooms from 14 to 30 and seating capacity from 2,000 to 9,000 delegates.

Once completed by 2029, the expansion project will position Nairobi as the third-largest UN global hub after New York and Geneva, with Vienna retaining the fourth position.

Ruto said the expansion of UN offices in Nairobi aligns with Kenya's commitment to multilateral efforts aimed at modernizing the global body and enhancing its capacity to address challenges facing humanity.

Ruto added that the groundbreaking ceremony for the major expansion works at UNON marked a historic milestone for Kenya, the UN, and the future of multilateral cooperation.

The launch of the United Nations conference facilities expansion project reaffirms Kenya's steadfast commitment to international diplomacy, sustainable development, and the shared values that continue to unite member states in pursuit of a more peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous world, Ruto said.

For his part, Guterres said both the groundbreaking ceremony for the new assembly hall and the inauguration of new office blocks reflect the UN's commitment to placing Africa at the heart of future efforts to reshape multilateralism.

Guterres said the expansion project also reaffirms the commitment of multilateral institutions to bringing services closer to the people they serve while fostering enduring partnerships.