•Vice President Kashim Shettima speaks at 81st UNGA in New York, yesterday
UN Security Council reform:
Nigeria demanded, in line with the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration, at least two permanent seats for Africa with full privileges, including veto rights for as long as the veto exists, and five non-permanent seats in total.
It called for a return to the UN’s founding principles:
Calls for dialogue, mutual respect and collective responsibility, with diplomacy prevailing over coercion and international law over arbitrary power.
Diplomacy to address conflicts:
Nigeria called for urgent diplomacy to address conflicts, particularly in Sudan and other war-torn countries.
Protection of civilians:
It called on all parties to uphold international humanitarian and human rights law, protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian access.
International financial architecture:
Nigeria also called for reform, wider access to concessional financing and debt sustainability frameworks that recognise developing countries’ needs.
Peacekeeping and peacebuilding:
It called on the UN to strengthen peacekeeping and place greater emphasis on peacebuilding, mediation, institution-building and sustainable development.
Equitable climate finance:
Nigeria also called for climate finance arrangements based on equity and shared responsibility, with commitments translated into accessible, predictable and adequately funded mechanisms for developing countries.
