Finland and Kenya sign cooperation deals on education, technology, environment

Finland and Kenya have inked three significant cooperation agreements, signaling a deepening partnership in education, technology, and environmental sectors. The deals were finalized during a two-day official visit by Kenyan President William Ruto to Helsinki, where he met with Finnish President Alexander Stubb.

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Kenya will continue to draw valuable lessons from the globally recognized Finnish education system as we advance our competency-based education and training.

In education, the pact focuses on technical and vocational training, teacher development, and educational innovation. President Ruto highlighted Kenya's intent to learn from Finland's globally recognized education system as it advances its competency-based training. The technology agreement centers on digitalization and innovation, aiming to boost collaboration in digital public services, secure connectivity, and emerging technologies.

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Kenya is an active and influential player in promoting stability and economic development, both regionally and globally, and is a middle power whose voice must be heard worldwide.

The third agreement addresses the circular economy, bioeconomy, and climate change, reinforcing efforts toward environmental sustainability and climate resilience. Both leaders underscored the importance of multilateralism and a rules-based international order. President Stubb praised Kenya as a key player in regional and global stability and economic development, calling it a "middle power whose voice must be heard worldwide."

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Globally, we have much to do together. We both firmly defend multilateralism and the rules-based international order, and we both work to give the fight against climate change a more prominent place on the global agenda.

Discussions also touched upon reforming the multilateral system, with President Stubb advocating for expanded representation in the UN Security Council to better reflect the Global South's growing influence. President Ruto called for a paradigm shift in how Africa is perceived, moving beyond a focus on colonialism and aid to recognize the continent's assets. Both leaders stressed the need for a fairer international financial architecture and greater African representation in global institutions.

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It is necessary to change the paradigm in how Africa is perceived, moving from focusing on challenges like colonialism and development aid to recognizing the continent's assets, such as natural resources and arable land.