Tinubu advocates multilateralism, permanent UNSC seat, debt forgiveness

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on world leaders to recommit themselves to multilateralism by deepening relations among member states of the United Nations (UN) in line with the principles of inclusivity, equality and cooperation. This, he said, guaranteesnglobal action against existential challenges faced by the international community.

President Tinubu who is the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of States and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) made the call while addressing world leaders during the General Debate of the ongoing 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York, United States.

Represented by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, at the high-level annual global event, the President decried the steep descent to singularity and nationalism which, according to him, are undermining the quest for
peaceful and collective resolution of global challenges such as terrorism, climate change, poverty, food crises,
hyper-inflation, nuclear proliferation and grinding debt burden, among others.

The Nigerian leader reminded the world leaders that the United Nations stands for multilateralism
which represents inclusiveness, anchored on the tripod of peace, sustainable development and human rights.

He expressed worry about the main objectives of the UN and how it could sustain the global body’s relevance and
resilience, noting that the pillars of the organisation are at risk of being broken against
the principles of inclusivity, equality and cooperation which it stands for.

READ ALSO: Tinubu advocates multilateralism, permanent UNSC seat, debt forgiveness

Specifically, he also asked the UN to prioritise debt forgiveness for Nigeria and other developing countries from
creditors and multilateral financial institutions.

“Similarly, we must ensure that any reform of the international financial system includes comprehensive debt
relief measures, to enable sustainable financing for development. Countries of the global South cannot make meaningful economic progress without special concessions and a review of their current debt burden,” he stated.

The Nigerian leader called for the recovery of the proceeds of corruption and illicit financial flows, maintaining that the return of such funds to countries of origin “is a fundamental principle of the United Nations Convention
against Corruption.

“Therefore, the international community must promote practical measures to strengthen international cooperation to recover and return stolen assets and to eradicate safe havens that facilitate illicit flows of funds from developing countries to the developed economies,” he added.