President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday addressed world leaders at the 78th United Nations General Assembly, in New York, United States.
Premium Politics reported that President Tinubu arrived New York, on Monday morning ahead of the UNGA.
UNGA 78 opened on Tuesday, September 5, with the high-level debate which began on Tuesday, September 19.
The 78th session also marks the half-way point to the deadline set for achieving the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goal.
The General Assembly’s high-level debate runs from Tuesday September 19 to Saturday 23 September, and resumes for one day on Tuesday September 26.
Speaking to world leaders on Wednesday morning, here are the major talking points from the address:
1. CALL FOR UN ACTION ON ARMS AND MINERAL SMUGGLING: President Tinubu emphasized the urgency for UN member states to take concrete actions against companies and individuals involved in illegal arms and mineral smuggling in and out of Africa.
2. PROTECTING MINERAL-RICH AFRICAN COUNTRIES: He highlighted the need to protect Africa’s mineral-rich regions from exploitation and conflict, citing the example of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the role of foreign entities in illegal resource extraction.
3. COMBATING POVERTY AND INJUSTICE: The President expressed concern about the impact of resource pillaging on African nations, calling for international cooperation to end this injustice and eliminate poverty in the region.
4. INVESTMENT PROMOTION: President Tinubu emphasized Nigeria’s readiness for business but also questioned the willingness of the world to engage in mutually beneficial economic partnerships with Africa, including direct investments, export opportunities, and debt relief.
5. AFRICAN TAILORED CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY: He stressed the importance of tailored climate change strategies for African nations, highlighting the need for initiatives that align with economic development efforts, such as ‘The Great Green Wall’ project and forest preservation.
6. POLITICAL CONSENSUS ON CLIMATE ACTION: The President mentioned the importance of building political consensus around climate change by highlighting actions that benefit the economy and the environment, such as local water management and irrigation projects.
7. INVESTMENT IN AFRICA: President Tinubu called on established economies to provide more public and private sector investment in Africa’s preferred climate change projects and initiatives.
8. RESTATES AFRICA’S GLOBAL SIGNIFICANCE: The President concluded by emphasizing Africa’s crucial role in the global community and urged the world to view Africa as a partner and an essential key to the world’s future.
