A new global index to measure public confidence in regulatory institutions is among the proposals adopted at the inaugural Trust Summit 2026 in Nairobi, as participants seek to strengthen accountability and reduce barriers created by fragmented regulatory systems.
The proposed annual Regulatory Trust Index is part of the 29-point Nairobi Call to Action on Global Trust adopted on October 23 after a three-day summit held under the theme “Weaving Trust: Binding Strands for a Stronger Global Order.”
The index would assess confidence in regulatory bodies at national, regional and global levels, helping institutions identify weaknesses, improve accountability and determine where reforms are needed.
The agreement also calls for stronger regulatory cooperation and mutual recognition, including through the East African Community and the African Continental Free Trade Area. The aim is to reduce unnecessary compliance costs associated with fragmented regulatory requirements while strengthening cooperation across borders.
Subnational peer-review mechanisms are also proposed as a means of improving institutional performance and public confidence.
The summit brought together government representatives, international organisations, business leaders, civil society, academics, technology experts, journalists and young people to consider the implications of declining trust for governance, economic growth and international cooperation.
The resulting framework treats trust as a global public good that requires institutions to demonstrate accountability, fulfil commitments and protect the public interest.
“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 include an implementation plan and public engagement campaigns across Kenyan counties. Regulators and public institutions would be encouraged to explain their decisions and demonstrate how they safeguard citizens’ interests.
Beyond regulatory reform, the Nairobi Call to Action proposes three mechanisms to advance implementation: a Coalition on Global Trust, a Nairobi Trust Council to be hosted by Kenya, and a proposed Global Trust Facility at the United Nations.
The coalition would provide a platform for governments and non-state actors to share knowledge and coordinate initiatives. The council would bring together figures from the public, private and philanthropic sectors to review progress and promote accountability.
The proposed financing facility would mobilise voluntary contributions from state and non-state actors over an initial four-year period to support institutions that underpin public confidence. The United Nations Development Programme is envisaged as its administrator, subject to further development and implementation.
Potential areas of support include national accreditation bodies, regulatory trust indices, data protection authorities, cybersecurity institutions and judicial cooperation mechanisms.
The framework extends the accountability agenda to multilateral institutions, calling for reforms that make global governance and the international financial architecture more representative, transparent and responsive.
It proposes 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 and continental organisations involved in conflict prevention and resolution.
On climate action, the agreement stresses that commitments must be matched by predictable financing, technology transfer and capacity building, particularly for countries bearing disproportionate climate risks.
Digital trust is another priority, with calls for accelerated implementation of the Global Digital Compact, stronger international cooperation on artificial intelligence and greater African participation in global digital governance. The agreement also advocates transparency around platform algorithms and synthetic content, alongside protections for independent journalism and scientific integrity.
The inclusion agenda calls for children, young people, women, persons with disabilities, displaced persons and excluded communities to participate meaningfully in decisions affecting their lives. It also supports wider access to jobs, entrepreneurship and finance for young people.
The Summit Secretariat will prepare a Framework for Action with monitoring, tracking and reporting arrangements, including biennial reviews. The agreement encourages international organisations, including the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, to conduct biennial studies on the economic costs of distrust.
Awel Uwihanganye, Chief Executive Officer of the Trust Summit, said the agreement was intended to turn concern about declining confidence into practical action.
“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,” he said.
The agreement also underscores Africa’s role in shaping global governance and economic cooperation, noting that approximately 70 per cent of sub-Saharan Africa’s population is under 30. Young people, it says, should be active participants in institutional reform rather than merely recipients of policy decisions.
The Trust Summit is expected to convene every two years, with plans under consideration to extend the Trust Dialogues to regional and international platforms.
The proposed Regulatory Trust Index and financing mechanisms will require further design and implementation arrangements before they can begin operating.
The summit has invited governments, businesses, civil society and young people to engage with the Coalition on Global Trust and support the implementation of the Nairobi Call to Action.
Further information is available at www.globaltrustsummit.org.
