The inaugural Trust Summit 2026 has adopted a 29-point Nairobi Call to Action on Global Trust, proposing new international mechanisms to strengthen public institutions, reform multilateral systems and finance initiatives aimed at restoring public confidence.
The three-day meeting, held in Nairobi 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 practitioners and young people.
The agreement proposes three mechanisms to sustain the initiative beyond the summit: a Coalition on Global Trust, a Nairobi Trust Council to be hosted by Kenya, and a Global Trust Facility at the United Nations to finance institutions and systems that support public confidence and international cooperation.
The Call to Action identifies trust as a global public good underpinning effective governance, economic growth, peace, climate action and global health security. It argues that restoring confidence requires institutions to demonstrate accountability, honour commitments and protect the public interest rather than rely on public messaging alone.
“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, Principal Secretary in Kenya’s State Department for Foreign Affairs.
Sing’Oei said the next phase would focus on developing an implementation plan and extending public engagement campaigns to counties.
The initiative will also encourage regulators and public institutions to explain their decisions, demonstrate accountability and show citizens how they safeguard the public interest.
The 29-point framework identifies four priority areas: rebuilding confidence in public institutions, reforming multilateral systems, strengthening trust in the digital age, and advancing inclusion and belonging.
On public institutions, the agreement proposes an annual Regulatory Trust Index at national, regional and global levels to measure confidence in regulatory bodies and identify areas requiring reform. It also advocates stronger regulatory cooperation and mutual recognition through regional frameworks, including the East African Community and the African Continental Free Trade Area, to reduce unnecessary compliance costs.
The framework calls for multilateral institutions and the global financial architecture to become more representative, transparent and accountable. Proposals include a review conference on the United Nations Charter under Article 109, improved global health governance, equitable access to medical countermeasures and better coordination among regional organisations working to prevent and resolve conflicts.
Climate commitments, it says, should be supported by predictable financing, technology transfer and capacity building, particularly for countries disproportionately affected by climate risks.
On digital governance, the agreement urges faster implementation of the Global Digital Compact and stronger international cooperation on artificial intelligence. It calls for greater African participation in global digital policymaking, transparency around platform algorithms and synthetic content, and safeguards for independent journalism and scientific integrity.
The inclusion agenda seeks meaningful participation by children, young people, women, persons with disabilities, displaced persons and excluded communities in decisions affecting their lives. It also promotes access to employment, entrepreneurship and finance for young people, alongside the use of sport, culture and the creative economy to strengthen social cohesion.
Under the proposed implementation framework, the Coalition on Global Trust would bring together governments and non-state actors to exchange knowledge, coordinate initiatives and advance commitments across sectors and borders. The Nairobi Trust Council would convene prominent figures from public, private and philanthropic institutions to review progress and encourage accountability.
The proposed Global Trust Facility would operate as a voluntary financing mechanism supported by state and non-state contributors over an initial four-year period. The United Nations Development Programme would administer the facility, subject to further development and implementation.
Potential beneficiaries include national accreditation bodies, regulatory trust indices, data protection and cybersecurity authorities, and judicial cooperation mechanisms.
The Summit Secretariat will develop a Framework for Action incorporating monitoring, tracking and reporting arrangements, including biennial reviews. The agreement also encourages international organisations, including the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, to undertake biennial studies on the economic costs of distrust.
“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.
The agreement places Africa at the centre of discussions on global governance, financial cooperation, digital inclusion and access to global public goods. Participants noted that approximately 70 per cent of sub-Saharan Africa’s population is under 30, arguing that young people should participate directly in institutional reform and economic development.
The Trust Summit is expected to convene every two years, with discussions also under way to extend the Trust Dialogues to regional and international platforms.
The adoption of the Nairobi Call to Action marks the start of an implementation process whose success will depend on governments, international organisations, businesses, civil society and communities translating the proposals into funded programmes and measurable reforms.
The summit has called on governments, businesses, young people and civil society organisations to engage with the Coalition on Global Trust and help advance the agreement.
More information and the full Nairobi Call to Action are available at www.globaltrustsummit.org.
