Vice President Kashim Shettima will lead Nigeria's delegation to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States, where he will present Nigeria's position on global reforms and major international issues. Shettima, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will articulate the President's priorities on sustainable development, peace and security, climate action, and a more equitable global economic order. The Vice President joined world leaders at the UN Headquarters for the opening of the General Debate of the 81st UNGA.
The General Debate, themed "Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all," will run from September 22 to 28. Shettima attended a welcome breakfast hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres for Heads of Delegation and their spouses. He was accompanied by Governors Dauda Lawal, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and Siminalayi Fubara, as well as Minister of Defence Gen. Christopher Musa, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and Nigeria's Permanent Representative to the UN, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim.
Shettima's address on Thursday will outline Nigeria's position on major global issues and President Tinubu's priorities for reforming international institutions. Nigeria's administration has consistently advocated for changes to global governance to make international institutions more representative of contemporary economic and demographic realities, particularly the interests of developing countries.
On the sidelines of the UNGA, Shettima represented President Tinubu at the Third High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG). He called for a continental push to end Africa's dependence on exporting raw minerals and urged African countries to build processing, manufacturing, and value-addition industries around critical mineral resources.
Shettima emphasized that Africa's mineral wealth must translate into jobs, industrial growth, and improved living standards for Africans. He stressed the need for countries on the continent to strengthen cooperation rather than compete through concessions that diminish the value of their resources.
The Vice President is scheduled to participate in other high-level meetings and bilateral engagements during the UNGA week. Nigeria seeks to advance its national interests and deepen cooperation with international partners. Shettima, accompanied by governors, ministers, and presidential aides, made a brief stop at Nigeria House in New York.
The UNGA 81 session has featured addresses by world leaders, including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and United States President Joe Biden was not mentioned but US President Donald Trump was. Shettima's engagements in New York aim to promote Nigeria's interests and foster global cooperation on issues critical to the country's development.
Key points
- Nigeria's Vice President Kashim Shettima to address the 81st UN General Assembly.
- Shettima to push for sustainable development, peace, and a more equitable global economic order.
- Nigeria seeks to advance its national interests and deepen cooperation with international partners.
