UNGA 74: Buhari leaves for New York on Sunday

President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to depart Abuja, the nation’s capital on Sunday for New York, United States to participate in the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA74).

The Nigerian President is also expected to lend his voice to a number of issues bedeviling the global community, especially on insecurity, climate changes, the need for elimination of nuclear weapons, among others.

A statement by Femi Adesina, media aide to the President on Thursday, described the summit, which opened on Tuesday, September 17 as very significant as it coincides with Nigeria’s Presidency of UNGA.

Recall that on June 4, 2019, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Prof. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, was unanimously elected as the President of UNGA74 – an indication of the country’s high esteem in the global reckoning.

The statement noted that it marks the second time Nigeria would be occupying that prestigious position following late Maj-Gen. Joseph Nanven Garba’s election during UNGA44 in 1989.

The theme for UNGA74 is, “Galvanizing Multilateral Efforts for Poverty Eradication, Quality Education, Climate Action and Inclusion.”

The General Debates will kick off on Tuesday, September 24 during which leaders of delegations will present their National Statements as well as speak to the theme of the session.

President Buhari is scheduled as Number Five Speaker on the first day of the debates – another plus for the country as most world leaders will be listening in the General Assembly Hall while the global audience watches on live television.

The President is expected to underscore his administration’s commitment to building on the achievements of its three-point agenda following the renewal of his electoral mandate by the majority of Nigerians. He will also reaffirm Nigeria’s position on salient global issues.

While in New York, the Nigerian leader and members of his delegation are expected to participate in the Climate Action Summit with the theme, “A Race We Can Win. A Race We Must Win,” convened by the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres; the High-Level meeting organized by the President of UNGA74 on Universal Health Coverage with the theme, “Moving Together to Build a Healthier World”; UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development; High-Level Dialogue on Financial Development as well as High-Level Meeting to Commemorate and Promote the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.