Vice President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday joined world leaders at the United Nations Headquarters in New York for the opening of the General Debate of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and leading Nigeria’s delegation, Shettima attended a welcome breakfast hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres for Heads of Delegation and their spouses before proceeding to the General Assembly Hall. He was accompanied by Governors Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara and Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State.
The General Debate, holding from September 22 to 28 under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all,” opened with remarks by Guterres and addresses by world leaders, including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and United States President Donald Trump.
Other members of the Nigerian delegation include Defence Minister Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd.), Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, and other senior government officials.
Shettima is scheduled to deliver Nigeria’s national statement before the General Assembly on Thursday, September 24, where he is expected to outline Nigeria’s position on major global issues and present President Tinubu’s priorities on reform of international institutions, sustainable development, peace and security, climate action and a more equitable global economic order.
The Vice President also made a brief stop at Nigeria House in New York after leaving the UN Headquarters, accompanied by members of the Nigerian delegation.
Earlier, Shettima represented President Tinubu at the Third High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, where he called for stronger continental cooperation to end Africa’s dependence on exporting raw minerals and promote processing, manufacturing and value addition.
He stressed that Africa’s mineral wealth should translate into jobs, industrial growth and improved living standards, while urging African countries to strengthen cooperation rather than compete through concessions that diminish the value of their resources.
The Vice President is also expected to participate in other high-level and bilateral engagements during UNGA week as Nigeria advances its national interests and strengthens cooperation with international partners.