Nigeria's Vice President Kashim Shettima Addresses UN General Assembly on Peace, Development, and Reform

Nigeria's Commitment to Multilateralism

• 🌍 Vice President Kashim Shettima reaffirms Nigeria's commitment to multilateralism and the United Nations, emphasizing shared responsibility and collective action.
• 🤝 He congratulates the President of the 80th UNGA session and commends the predecessor and Secretary-General for their leadership.
• 💡 The speech highlights the need to measure progress against UN values and translate ideals into tangible actions for peace, development, and human rights.

Key Pillars for Global Change

• ⚖️ Permanent Seat on UN Security Council: Nigeria advocates for its permanent seat as part of broader UN institutional reform to reflect the current global landscape.
• 💰 Sovereign Debt Relief and Trade Access: Urgent action is needed to promote debt relief and improve access to trade and financing for developing nations.
• 💎 Benefit from Natural Resources: Countries rich in minerals must benefit from their resources through investment, local processing, and job creation.
• 💻 Closing the Digital Divide: Initiatives are required to ensure Africa is included in the AI revolution and to bridge the wealth and knowledge gap.

Addressing Global Challenges

• 🕊️ Nigeria's extensive experience in UN peacekeeping operations underscores its dedication to global peace and security.
• ⚔️ The country is actively combating insurgency and violent extremism, emphasizing that values and ideas, not just military tactics, lead to lasting victory.
• 💔 Nigeria condemns violence and aggression, particularly in Gaza and Qatar, drawing parallels to its own experiences with extremism.
• 🇵🇸 A two-state solution is presented as the most dignified path to lasting peace for Palestine.

Economic Restructuring and Climate Action

• 📈 Nigeria has undertaken economic reforms, including removing subsidies and currency controls, to foster growth and prosperity.
• 🌍 Climate change is recognized not just as an environmental issue but as a critical factor in national and international security and migration.
• 💧 Support for vulnerable communities through education, resilient housing, and access to technology is crucial for climate adaptation.

Strengthening International Finance and Digital Inclusion

• 🔗 A call for a new debt management mechanism, akin to an international court of justice for money, is proposed to help emerging economies escape debt burdens.
• 🌐 The African Continental Free Trade Area is highlighted as a significant achievement, with a commitment to the SDGs.
• 💡 Nigeria champions initiatives to close the digital divide, ensuring emerging economies can leverage technology to reduce the wealth and knowledge gap.