Nigeria has tasked the United Nations (UN), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank on reforms to achieve sustainable development goals
Geoffrey Onyeama , the Minister of Foreign Affairs, made the remark while speaking at the 1st Foreign Ministers’ Meeting at the G20 Summit in New Delhi, India, underscored the need to reform the UN along the line of its three pillars – Peace and Security, Development and Human Rights.
Onyeama said that the world needs a “rules-based, non-discriminatory, free, fair, open, inclusive, equitable, sustainable, and transparent multilateral trading system, with the WTO at its core” in order to achieve sustainable development goals.
The Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister, who led the country’s delegation as a Guest Country of G20 under India’s Presidency, added that “We further wish to join other countries in calling for the reform of other institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank”.
The Minister said, “Your Excellences, let me use this platform to draw attention to our unending call for a reform of the UN Security Council that will ensure Africa’s legitimate right to fair and equitable representation in the Council: taking into account the principles, objectives, and ideals of the United Nations Charter for a fairer world based on universalism, equity, and regional balance within the United Nations system.
“Our demand, which is legitimate, is well espoused in the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte declaration, which calls for expansion in both the permanent and non-permanent categories of the Security Council.
“African states have offered a coherent, practical and persuasive blueprint for the Council’s reform. We have come up with a common position, which asserts the rights of our continent that have for so long been marginalized, and we recognise the legitimate aspirations of other regions to be fully represented in the Council.”
“The invitation by India he notes demonstrates the high level of warm relations that exist between Nigeria and India in particular and members of G20 in general.
“I am, therefore, of a strong conviction that, as the largest economy in Africa, with stable and uninterrupted democratic governance, Nigeria should become a permanent member of G20 in the nearest future.”
On the theme of the Summit which is ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’, Onyeama stressed that it takes into cognizance the significance of our Earth and the need to protect it, explaining that “Nigeria attaches significant importance to the G20 as the premier forum for global economic cooperation and its role in shaping and strengthening global architecture and governance on all major international economic issues and other fields that are of concern to members and the world at large.
“We look forward to working closely with the G20 and its members as we seek to address issues of concern to today’s world, including the need to develop digital health solutions; vocational training, and technology transfer to the South; digital finance and financial inclusion in developing countries; holistic approach to debt burden, climate change, and post pandemic recovery measures”.
Speaking further on Strengthening Multilateralism and Need for reforms, he pointed out that Nigeria recognises the fact that the most pressing issues of our time cannot be addressed without multilateral cooperation, stronger collaboration and cooperation among diverse regions is the only path to a peaceful, stable and prosperous world for all.
Today’s challenges require a revitalized international cooperation that is effective, representative, and inclusive; that guarantees a world that is governed by acceptable rules and norms that give opportunity for all to open trade, prosperity, and shared progress”.
He also spoke on Food and Energy Security and Development Cooperation, while in Session II, he addressed the Meeting on Counter-Terrorism: New and Emerging Threats; Global Skill Mapping and Talent Pool and on Human Assistance and Disaster Relief.
The Minister held a bilateral meeting with the United States Foreign Secretary, Antony Blinken.
India had earlier in the year also hosted the “Voice of the South Summit” which provided a platform for the Global South to share their perspectives, priorities and expectations from the G20.
- FG moves to secure natural resources, as presidential committee meets service chiefs - January 25, 2024
- Kogi govt pays JAMB registration fees for 15,033 public school students - January 24, 2024
- Edo Guber: APC debunks aspirants screening disqualification rumours - January 24, 2024
