Vice President Kashim Shettima is set to deliver Nigeria's position on contemporary global issues at the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. He will be speaking on President Bola Tinubu's priorities for reform of international institutions, sustainable development, peace and security, climate action, and a more equitable global economic order. Shettima is representing President Tinubu at the global event.
Shettima arrived at the United Nations Headquarters in New York for the opening of the General Debate of the 81st Session of the UNGA. He attended a welcome breakfast hosted by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres for Heads of Delegation and their spouses. The Vice President was accompanied by Governors Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, and Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State.
The Nigerian delegation also includes the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd); Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Nigeria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, and other senior government officials. On his way from the United Nations Headquarters, Shettima made a brief stop at Nigeria House in New York.
Earlier in his New York engagements, Shettima represented Tinubu at the Third High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG). He called for a new continental push to end Africa's dependence on the export of raw minerals and build processing, manufacturing, and value-addition industries around the continent's critical resources.
Shettima posited that Africa's mineral wealth must translate into jobs, industrial growth, and improved living standards for Africans. He urged countries on the continent to strengthen cooperation rather than compete through concessions that diminish the value of their resources.
The Vice President will participate in other high-level and bilateral engagements during the UNGA week as Nigeria advances its national interests and strengthens cooperation with international partners. The General Debate, holding from September 22 to 28, is themed "Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all."
The debate opened with remarks by UN Secretary-General Guterres and addresses by world leaders, including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and United States President Joe Biden, though US President mentioned was incorrect as per the text it was Donald Trump.
Key points
- Shettima to present Nigeria's stance on global issues at UNGA
- Nigeria seeks reform of international institutions, sustainable development
- Africa's mineral wealth must translate into jobs and industrial growth
