President Muhammadu Buhari will lead the country’s delegation to the 73rd United Nations General Assembly, UNGA, in New York.
The Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, who disclosed this while briefing journalists in Abuja, added that President Buhari would use the opportunity to assert Nigeria’s position on global issues.
The 73rd UNGA will begin September 18 at the UN Headquarters, New York, while the General Debate will hold from September 25 to October 1.
“It an opportunity for him to assert Nigeria’s position globally and to put forward our ideas and our vision going forward as a global community.
“The President will address the 73rd Session of the High-Level General Debate of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York on September, 25.
“He will also deliver Nigeria’s National Statement on the first day of the general debate of the General Assembly high-level events,” Mr. Onyeama said.
“It is extremely important and it is a rare opportunity for Nigeria as a country to engage with the other countries of the world,” he added.
The Minister said that the 73rd UNGA will avail Nigeria and other member states of the UN the opportunity to engage, interface and share best practices toward reaching common understanding and consensus on key issues of global significance.
According to Mr. Onyeama, President Buhari will hold bilateral meetings with the UN Secretary-General, some African and other world leaders, as well as few strategic partners during this period.
“Nigeria’s expected outcome at the 73rd UNGA should be to achieve a well-planned, synchronized and successful participation of Nigeria at the 73rd Session, under the guidance of President Buhari.
“It will be weighed against the backdrop of externalization of Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives through effective engagement,” he said.
“President Buhari in his address will highlight a wide range of issues from eradication of extreme poverty, maintenance of international peace and security, human rights issues, humanitarian activities, tackling climate change and promoting environmental sustainability.”
Mr. Onyeama mentioned that President Buhari will also address the global gathering of world leaders as the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS.
Fight Against Corruption
The Foreign Affairs Minister stated that President Buhari, as the Champion of African Union, AU- Fight Against Corruption; will also address the General Assembly on the continent’s efforts in combating corruption.
He said that the 2018 session would be presided over by Ms María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés the current Foreign Minister of Ecuador.
“We will be pushing next year that the President of the General Assembly will be a Nigerian, we are proposing our Permanent Representatives, our Ambassador in New York to be the next President of the General Assembly, Ambassador Tijani Bande.
“So part of what we will be doing in New York will be canvassing for his appointment next year as the President of the General Assembly.”
The theme for the 2018 United Nations General Assembly is: “Making the United Nations relevant to all People: Global Leadership and shared responsibilities for peaceful, equitable and sustainable development.”
– Omolayo. Am I VON
