More than 60 per cent of those listed to speak at the ongoing 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) are being represented by either their vice presidents or foreign ministers, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, has said.
The envoy also assured that Nigeria would retain its designated position at the UNGA, including its front-row seat, as Vice President Kashim Shettima stands in for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Ibrahim, who chairs the UN Committee on Budget and Administration, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and other top government officials would also join the Vice President at the high-level session.
In a statement by the Nigerian Mission to the United Nations in New York, Ibrahim noted that it is not unusual for countries to delegate representation to senior government officials when their presidents are unable to attend.
‘The Vice President and the Minister of Foreign Affairs are adequately positioned to represent Nigeria at the General Assembly and participate fully in the diplomatic engagements surrounding the session,’ he said. The envoy explained that President Tinubu would not personally attend the session as he is currently in France on annual leave.
‘The absence of the President should not be interpreted as Nigeria being inadequately represented. Our delegation will continue to participate fully in the proceedings,’ he said.
Ibrahim urged Nigerians to view the country’s participation within the broader context of diplomatic representation, stressing that Nigeria would continue to play its role fully at the General Assembly.
Also, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mandated Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States, where he will present the country’s position on major global issues.
Shettima, who will represent the President at the annual gathering of world leaders, will deliver Nigeria’s national statement during the General Debate scheduled to hold from September 22 to 28.
The General Debate, with the theme: ‘Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All,’ is expected to focus attention on pressing global challenges and efforts to strengthen multilateral cooperation.
A statement yesterday in Abuja by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, said Shettima will articulate Nigeria’s priorities on issues affecting national development, peace and security, economic growth and international cooperation.
The Vice President will lead a high-level Nigerian delegation comprising Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara; his Zamfara State counterpart, Dauda Lawal; ministers and other senior government officials to the global event.
Besides delivering Nigeria’s national statement, Shettima is also scheduled to participate in a number of high-level meetings during the UNGA week, including engagements on the Right to Development, climate action and other issues considered strategically important to Nigeria and Africa.
He is also expected to join other world leaders at the traditional reception for Heads of Delegation and hold a series of bilateral meetings with leaders of other countries, international organisations and development partners on the sidelines of the General Assembly.
The Presidency said the engagements would provide another platform for Nigeria to advance President Tinubu’s economic diplomacy and deepen strategic partnerships with other countries and international institutions.
Nigeria is also expected to use the meetings to strengthen its advocacy for reform of the global financial architecture, sustainable development, increased access to climate finance and stronger multilateral cooperation.
The country has consistently pushed for reforms of international institutions to give developing countries, particularly African nations, a stronger voice in global decision-making.
At international forums, the Tinubu administration has also canvassed greater access to development financing for African countries and changes to the global financial system to address what it considers structural constraints confronting developing economies.
Shettima is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of his engagements in New York.