Vice President Kashim Shettima has said Nigeria will prioritise its national interest while strengthening its commitment to multilateralism at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Shettima stated this on Monday after arriving in the United States to represent President Bola Tinubu and lead the Nigerian delegation to the high-level UN gathering.
According to a statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Shettima said Nigeria would use the global platform to push for reforms in international institutions.
He said the reforms were necessary to ensure that global institutions reflect current economic and demographic realities.
“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 based on the country’s national interests while advocating greater representation and opportunities for developing nations.
“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 added.
The high-level General Debate of the 81st UN General Assembly is scheduled to hold from September 22 to 26, with another sitting on September 28, at the UN headquarters in New York.
The theme of this year’s session is “Restoring trust, managing transformation: a United Nations that delivers for all.”
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Shettima is expected to present Nigeria’s national statement during the General Debate, outlining the country’s positions on global issues, including peace and security, economic development, sustainable growth and international cooperation.
He is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with world leaders, international organisations and development partners on the sidelines of the assembly.
The State House said the engagements would focus on issues including reforms to the international financial system, sustainable development, climate finance, access to technology and increased African representation in global decision-making.
The Vice President arrived in New York alongside Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning Doris Uzoka-Anite and other senior government officials.
Among those who received him were 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 United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim.
The United Nations describes the General Debate as an opportunity for heads of state, heads of government and other senior representatives to present their countries’ priorities and positions on major global challenges.