Vice President Kashim Shettima arrived in New York to attend the 80th week-long session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The assembly, which will begin on Monday, is expected to close on September 28.
On arrival at John Kennedy International Airport in New York, Shettima was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, and the Charge d’Affaires at the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations, Amb. Samson Itegboje.
Also on ground to welcome the Vice-President are the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, the Nigeria Defence Attaché New York, Brig. -Gen. Edward Koleoso, Defence Attaché Washington, Group Capt. Sani Kalgo, among others.
Representing President Bola Tinubu, Shettima is set to deliver Nigeria’s national statement at the global event, participate in the UN high-level general debates, and attend various side events.
While in New York, the Vice President will announce Nigeria’s new Nationally Determined Contributions, NDCs, under the Paris Agreement.
He will also attend the high-level roundtable of the Global Champions on Adequate and Affordable Housing, present Nigeria’s national statement as well engage in several bilateral meetings and other engagements.
Speaking on Nigeria’s target for this year’s UNGA, Tuggar, said Nigeria is championing the United Nations Global Convention on Taxation which is very central to the ongoing pushed to reform the global financial architecture.
”This is something that has put Nigeria in the position of leadership and you can see that during the briefing for the Vice President, there were Minister’s present, senior government officials and the whole idea of having this briefing is so that we will all be on the same page.
”So going out engaging we have to make sure that we promote this, we also promote Nigeria’s push to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, because Africa has something refers to as the common African position,” he said.
Tuggar noted that Africa is the only continent or grouping that has a common position on what should be done when it comes to reforming the UN Security Council.
The minister insisted that Africa should have a minimum of two permanent seat based on what is refers to as Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration.
Also, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna state, said Nigeria’s participation in the 80th UNGA will certainly further reposition the country as an investment destination and one the leading economy in Africa.
