The President of the 68th Session of the
General
Heads of State and Government;
The Secretary-General;
Distinguished Delegates;
Ladies and Gentlemen
Assembly;
Mr President,
1. On behalf of the
Government and People of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I salute you as you
preside over the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. I assure you of the full support and
cooperation of the Nigerian delegation.
2. I also wish to
extend our commendation to the Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon, and place on
record, Nigeria’s appreciation for his focused
and committed leadership of the
United Nations system.
3. This Session is
coming at a particularly trying period when our world faces a number of
critical challenges which make it imperative for us to work within the Charter
of the United
Nations to meaningfully address them.
4. It is therefore
apt that the theme, Post 2015 Development Agenda: Setting the Stage, signposts our desire and
determination to actively cooperate for the improvement of the overall welfare
and well-being of the most vulnerable citizens of the member-states of our
Organisation.
5. Nigeria
appreciates the consultative nature of designing the Post-2015 development
agenda. Earlier in the year, we supported this global outreach through
inclusive consultations and surveys of a number of Nigerians who have expressed
their aspirations with respect to the world they expect beyond 2015.
6. A major
highlight of this process, which has increased national ownership of the
agenda, is the emphasis on the eradication of poverty as the overarching
principle in the formulation of the successor framework.
7. Indeed,
tomorrow, we will be hosting a side event on the implementation of the MDGs, in
collaboration with the UN, a number of African countries, and our development
partners.
8. As I had cause
to say to this Assembly last Session, 2015 is not a destination but only a
milestone to a better, safer, healthier and more compassionate world. Let us therefore renew our commitment to the
processes that will develop the post-MDGs framework.
Mr. President,
9. This objective
is of particular resonance to us in Africa where the challenges of poverty,
illiteracy, food insecurity, and climate change continue to engage the
attention of the political leadership.
10. The good news
however, is that in the last decade, a sustained democratization process across
the continent has made significant difference in governance processes,
institutions and structures. Today, we
have a renascent Africa that has moved away from the era of dictatorship to a
new dawn where the ideals of good governance and an emphasis on human rights
and justice are beginning to drive state-society relations. This is the present
reality of Africa that must replace the old prejudices and assumptions about
the continent.
11. We are firm in
our conviction that democracy is fundamental to achieving the requisite
stability that will enable the realization of a sustainable post-2015
development agenda in Africa.
12. This emergent
Africa will require the continued support and partnership of the international
community. An Africa that is no longer
merely a destination for aid but one that is involved in constructive,
multi-sectoral exchanges on the global stage.
Our continent stands ready to continue to engage the rest of the world
as a partner in formulating a global development agenda that will guarantee
peace, security and stability.
13. I wish to
express my appreciation for Nigeria’s selection as co-Chair of the Expert
Committee on Financing Sustainable Development.
14. The importance
of this Committee’s assignment cannot be overstated. For the post-2015
development agenda to be realistic, it must be backed by a robust financing
framework which I hope will receive the strong backing of our Organisation’s
more endowed members.
Mr. President,
15. Nigeria’s
commitment to sustainable peace and security propels the country to action
along with member states of our sub-regional and continental organisations,
whenever stability is threatened in our continent. In recent years, Africa has had its share of
conflicts notably in Mali, Guinea-Bissau, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central
African Republic and Somalia.
16. It is
noteworthy that African leaders, with the support of the international
community, have demonstrated the capacity to work in concert and decisively in
pursuit of long-term solutions in the affected States. While a lot more still
needs to be done, we are convinced that progress is being made.
17. The recent
Presidential elections in Mali herald a new beginning that should translate
into peace and prosperity for its people and provide a stronger basis for stability
within the sub-region. I congratulate
President Boubacar Keita. Similarly, the political transition process in Guinea
Bissau holds much promise. Among African leaders, there is a greater
determination and focus on the transformation of the continent. This is the
required impetus for the achievement of development objectives
that will benefit the people, and rebrand the continent even
more positively.
18. Although our
world has not witnessed a global war since the establishment of the United
Nations, there have been several conflicts with devastating consequences and
impact in virtually all regions of the world.
As global citizens, we have a sacred duty to free our world of wars,
rivalries, ethnic conflicts, and religious divisions. Our collective effort in our drive for a
better world will continue to bind us together.
Mr. President,
19. Nigeria
continues to support the efforts of the United Nations in addressing the global
initiative to combat the menace of the illicit trade in Small Arms and Light
Weapons. We have redoubled efforts to address this onerous challenge within our
borders and across the West African sub-region.
20. In doing so, we
also recognize the need for a broad-based global partnership in the on-going
battle against trans-border crimes, including terrorism and acts of piracy. It
is regrettable that these scourges are sustained by unfettered access by
non-state actors to illicit small arms and light weapons with which they foster
insecurity and instability across our continent. For us in Africa, these are
the ‘weapons of mass destruction’!
21. It is therefore,
in the light of our collective obligation and unceasing struggle to end this
nightmare, that I congratulate Member-States on the adoption of the Arms Trade
Treaty (ATT) in April this year. Our
hope is that upon its entry into force, the ATT would herald an era of
accountable trade in conventional arms which is critical to the security of
nations.
22. In line with
our continued commitment to this project, Nigeria has signed and ratified the
Treaty. We will continue to engage other
Member-States for its successful implementation.
Mr. President,
23. Terrorism
constitutes a major threat to global peace and security, and undermines the
capacity for sustained development. In
Nigeria, the threat of terrorism in a few States in the North Eastern part of
our country has proven to be a challenge to national stability. We will spare no effort in addressing this
menace. We are therefore confronting it
with every resource at our disposal with due regard for fundamental human
rights and the rule of law.
24. Nigeria will
like to place on record its appreciation to the international community for its
support in this regard. The reign of
terror anywhere in the world is an assault on our collective humanity. Three days ago, the stark reality of this
menace was again brought to the fore by the dastardly terrorist attack in
Nairobi, Kenya. We must stand together to win this war together.
Mr. President,
25. Piracy, like
terrorism, is another menace that has attained worrisome proportions,
especially in Africa’s coastal waters. At the bilateral and multilateral
levels, Nigeria has promoted cooperation to mitigate its impact and
consequences on the security and economies of the affected coastal states.
26. Indeed, in June
this year, the leaders of the Economic Community of West African States
(ECOWAS), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the Gulf
of Guinea Commission met in Yaounde, Cameroon, and came up with practical steps
to collectively confront the menace of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. This effort will, no doubt, require
reinforcement and wider support and collaborative action on the part of our
international partners.
Mr. President,
27. The situation
in the Middle East remains volatile. The
reported use of chemical weapons in the Syrian crisis, is unacceptable. Nigeria condemns, in the strongest possible
terms, the use of chemical weapons that are prohibited by International
Conventions.
28. We applaud the
current diplomatic efforts to avert further escalation of the crisis. We urge all parties involved to end the
violence and seek a negotiated solution, including the instrumentality of the
United Nations.
29. The threat
which nuclear weapons pose to the survival of the human race is to be
understood not just in the context of aspirational nations but also the nations
already in possession of such weapons. Nuclear weapons are as unsafe in the
hands of small powers as they are in the hands of the major powers. It is our
collective responsibility to urge the international community to respond to the
clarion call for a peaceful universe in an age of uncertainty.
30. We can attain
this objective if we adopt measures and policies that will promote nuclear
disarmament, protect and renew our environment, and push towards an
international system that is based on trust, mutual respect and shared
goals.
Mr. President,
31. I believe that
I express the concern of many about the slow pace of effort and apparent lack
of progress in the reform of the United Nations, especially the Security
Council. We believe strongly, that the
call for democratization worldwide should not be for States only, but also, for
International Organizations such as the UN.
That is why we call for the democratization of the Security
Council.
32. This is desirable for the enthronement of
justice, equity, and fairness; and also for the promotion of a sense of
inclusiveness and balance in our world.
33. Our support for
the United Nations Security Council in its primary responsibility for the maintenance
of international peace and security has been total and unwavering. We have, in previous membership of the
Council, demonstrated both the political will and capacity to engage in key
Council responsibilities. Nigeria has
therefore decided to seek election for the 2014-2015 Non-Permanent Seat of the
UNSC.
34. I am pleased to
state that Nigeria has received the endorsement of the Economic Community of
West African States and the African Union.
We urge this august Assembly to endorse Nigeria’s candidature.
Mr. President,
35. Our world
continues to be confronted by pressing problems and threats. No statement that will be made during this
Session can exhaust the extent of these problems. The world looks to us, as leaders, to provide
hope in the midst of crisis, to provide guidance through difficult
socio-political divisions, and to ensure that we live in a better world.
36. We have
obligations to the present generation, but we have a greater obligation to
generations yet unborn who should one day inherit a world of sufficiency
irrespective of the circumstances of their birth or where they reside on the
globe. We must work to make that world a
reality in recognition of our common heritage.
37. We must strive
to eradicate poverty, hunger, disease and human misery; we must eliminate the
scourge of nuclear, chemical, biological, as well as small arms and light
weapons. We must dedicate ourselves to working together to address global,
regional and national challenges and deliver a more peaceful, equitable and
prosperous world for all. It is our
duty. We must not fail.
38. I thank you.
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