Tinubu Advocates for UN Reforms, Permanent Seat for Nigeria, and Debt Relief
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for significant reforms in the UN Security Council, advocating for Nigeria and other African nations to gain permanent representation.
Speaking at the ongoing 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, emphasized the need for the UN to adapt to a rapidly evolving global landscape.
He remarked, “There have been encouraging indications from some permanent members regarding the reform of the Security Council. We welcome this shift and urge a swift advancement of this process.”
Tinubu highlighted the importance of expanding the Council to better reflect global diversity. “Africa deserves a respected position within the Security Council, with the same rights and responsibilities as other permanent members,” he asserted.
The president also urged reforms in the international financial system and advocated for a fairer multilateral trading environment. He expressed hope that initiatives like the “Pact for the Future” would lead to substantial economic improvements for developing countries.
Addressing the global debt crisis, Tinubu pointed out how it hampers nations’ abilities to meet their citizens’ needs. He called for prioritizing debt forgiveness for Nigeria and other developing countries from creditors and international financial institutions.
“Reforming the international financial system must include comprehensive debt relief measures. Countries in the global South cannot achieve meaningful progress without these special concessions,” he stated.
Additionally, he stressed the importance of recovering funds lost to corruption and illicit financial flows, underscoring the need for these funds to be returned to their countries of origin as per the UN Convention against Corruption.
Tinubu urged world leaders to recommit to multilateralism, fostering relationships among UN member states based on inclusivity, equality, and cooperation.
He also highlighted the threat of terrorism and outlined Nigeria’s commitment to addressing these challenges through the upcoming High-Level African Counter-Terrorism Meeting, set for April 2024.
The president warned of the severe impacts of climate change, linking it to insecurity and sustainable development challenges, particularly recalling devastating floods in Nigeria.
He called for adherence to commitments made at international climate conferences, stressing that failure to act would have dire consequences for all nations.
Reflecting on the UN’s foundational purpose of conflict prevention, Tinubu lamented that this mission has become increasingly difficult. He identified poverty, hunger, ignorance, and inequality as root causes of conflict, referencing ongoing crises in Sudan and Gaza.
“This illustrates the international community’s failure to uphold the UN’s vision of a world free from inequality and violence,” he concluded, emphasizing that justice must prevail over revenge.
