At the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Tuesday, Vice President Kashim Shettima delivered a message from his boss, President Bola Tinubu to global leaders.
The President’s message was contained in a national statement.
In this article, iBrantv brings you a breakdown and major highlights from President Tinubu’s speech.
You see, Tinubu’s message was more of an appeal.
Debt Forgiveness
The Nigerian leader wants global leaders to prioritise debt forgiveness for Nigeria and other developing nations.
Tinubu drew the attention of world leaders to the heavy burden of debt and how it hinders meaningful economic progress in many nations.
His call for debt relief and reforms came amid the pressing economic challenges these nations face.
A press release was issued by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President).
According to the statement, Tinubu echoed to the UN how the global debt crisis is crippling countries’ abilities to address the needs of their citizens.
Tinubu said: “We must ensure that any reform of the international financial system includes comprehensive debt relief measures, to enable sustainable financing for development.
“Countries of the global South cannot make meaningful economic progress without special concessions and a review of their current debt burden.”
Recovery Of Funds
The Nigerian leader also called for the recovery of funds lost through corruption and illicit financial flows.
He urged international cooperation to recover and return stolen assets.
His words: “Therefore, the international community must promote practical measures to strengthen international cooperation.
They must recover and return stolen assets and to eradicate safe havens that facilitate illicit flows of funds from developing countries to the developed economies.”
Global Conflict
The President also underscored that multilateralism, rooted in inclusivity, equality, and cooperation, remains the surest path toward addressing these challenges.
Reflecting on global conflicts and other ongoing crises, Tinubu highlighted the UN’s failure to achieve its core objectives, stating that billions of dollars are funneled into wars and conflicts rather than resolving issues such as poverty, hunger, and inequality.
He said: “While commitment to multilateralism offers us the surest guarantee of global action to address the existential challenges we face, singularity and nationalism are undermining the aspirations towards the peaceful and collective resolution of such challenges.
“From last year’s summit, and indeed from previous years, we have carried over the numerous challenges of terrorism, armed conflict, inequality, poverty, racial discrimination, human rights abuses, food crises, hunger, irregular migration, piracy, global pandemics, hyper-inflation, nuclear proliferation, grinding debt burden, climate change, and a host of other vexations.
“The continued manifestation of these challenges testifies to our failings rather than to any lofty achievements on our part.
Billions of dollars are being committed to the prosecution of wars and the fanning of the embers of conflict,” he added.
A Friendly Nation
Tinubu reaffirmed what he termed “Nigeria’s steadfast commitment to the deepening of multilateralism,” just as it did 65 years ago when it joined the United Nations as the 99th member-state.
“We remain committed to that desire to remain friendly with all nations and participate actively in the works of the United Nations, as expressed by our founding Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa,” he said.
Military Coups In Africa
Furthermore, Tinubu decried the resurgence of military coups and unconstitutional changes in governance in Africa.
He explained that these events underscore the fragility of democracy when not accompanied by economic development, peace, and security.
His words: “Our people need employment. They need decent livelihoods.
Also, they desire good and affordable education and healthcare for their children and families.
They need to live in healthy, safe and secure environments. They need hope and they need opportunity.”
Global Financial System
Tinubu also called for reforms in the global financial system and a fair, transparent multilateral trading regime.
“It is for this and other reasons that we reiterate the call by countries, especially of the global South, for reform of the international financial architecture and promotion of a rules-based, non-discriminatory, open, fair, inclusive, equitable and transparent multilateral trading system,” he noted.
Insecurity
Also, Tinubu addressed the issue of insecurity detailing how it has driven citizens into extreme hardship, eroding their trust in democracy.
He stated: “We cannot build durable societies with the threat of terrorism, banditry and insurgency growing in our countries and regions.
Indeed, violent extremism remains an existential threat to both national and international peace, security and development.
We are making concerted efforts to contain and roll back this threat.”
Conflict Prevention
The President also spoke on the role of the United Nations in conflict prevention, lamenting the normalization of global conflicts.
Tinubu pointed out that conflict prevention was a core objective of the United Nations at its inception.
However, he expressed regret that this mission has become increasingly difficult, as conflicts have become normalised.
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“When even the condemnation of violence, civilian casualties, and calls for a ceasefire are viewed as controversial,” he remarked, it becomes clear how challenging the task has become.
He went on to outline key root causes of global conflicts, including poverty, hunger, ignorance, inequality, exclusion, and other forms of injustice.
He referenced specific conflicts, such as those in Sudan and the war in Gaza and other Palestinian territories, as examples.
“What this tells us is that the international community has failed to live up to the spirit and aspirations of the United Nations to rid the world of inequality, violence and domination of one people by another. Justice is antithetical to revenge,” he said.
Permanent Seats In The UN
The President also called for significant reforms in the United Nations Security Council, advocating for permanent seats for Nigeria and other African nations.
Tinubu said: “Some permanent members of the United Nations Security Council have offered encouraging, if tentative, indications of support on the issue of reform of the Council.
We welcome the change in tone and urge an acceleration in momentum to the process.
“The Security Council should be expanded, in the permanent and non-permanent member categories, to reflect the diversity and plurality of the world. We fully support the efforts of Secretary-General Guterres in this regard.
“Africa must be accorded the respect that it deserves in the Security Council.
Our Continent deserves a place in the permanent members category of the Security Council, with the same rights and responsibilities as other Permanent Members.”
The UNSC At A Glance
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the six key organs of the UN, responsible for maintaining international peace and security. It comprises 15 members, with the five permanent members holding veto power.
The Security Council plays a critical role in recommending the admission of new members to the UN General Assembly and approving amendments to the UN Charter.
Additionally, the UNSC has the authority to initiate peacekeeping missions, impose international sanctions, and authorize military actions when necessary to address global security threats.
