Nigeria to promote national interest at UNGA — Shettima

Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India. Credit: Stanley Nkwocha/X.

Vice President Kashim Shettima says Nigeria will be guided by its national interest and commitment to multilateralism as it engages world leaders at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Shettima stated this after arriving in New York on Monday to represent President Bola Tinubu and lead Nigeria’s delegation to the high-level gathering.

He said Nigeria would also advance the President’s call for reforms to global institutions to reflect contemporary economic and demographic realities.

This was contained in a statement issued on Monday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President).

“Our message in New York is clear. Nigeria believes in multilateralism, but the institutions that govern our world must become more representative, equitable, and responsive to the realities of today,” Shettima said.

The Vice President added that Nigeria would engage its international partners from the standpoint of the country’s national interest while advocating a stronger voice and fairer opportunities for developing countries.

“We will engage our partners firmly from the standpoint of Nigeria’s national interest while advancing President Tinubu’s call for a global system that gives developing countries a stronger voice and a fairer opportunity to prosper,” he said.

The 81st UN General Assembly’s high-level General Debate is scheduled for September 22 to 26 and September 28 at the UN headquarters in New York. The theme of the session is “Restoring trust, managing transformation: a United Nations that delivers for all.”

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During the General Debate, Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement, outlining the country’s positions on international issues relating to peace and security, development, economic growth and global cooperation.

The Vice President is also scheduled to participate in high-level meetings and bilateral engagements with world leaders, international organisations and development partners on the sidelines of the General Assembly.

According to the State House, Nigeria will use the engagements to advance its positions on the reform of the international financial architecture, sustainable development, climate finance, technology access and stronger African representation in global decision-making.

Shettima arrived in New York with the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara; Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Doris Uzoka-Anite; and other senior government officials.

Those who received him in New York included Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Office of the Vice President, Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake; and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Jimoh Ibrahim.

The UN says the General Debate provides an opportunity for heads of state, government and other high-level representatives to outline their positions and priorities on global challenges.