Nigeria, alongside 144 other United Nations member states, supported a resolution on Saturday allowing Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to address the UN General Assembly via pre-recorded video after the United States refused to issue visas for his delegation.
The resolution, which passed with 145 votes in favor, five against, and six abstentions, authorizes Abbas to submit his address from New York through a recorded message, introduced by one of Palestine’s representatives based in the city.
Countries voting against the measure included Israel, Nauru, Palau, Paraguay, and the United States, while Albania, Fiji, Hungary, North Macedonia, Panama, and Papua New Guinea abstained.
Speaking on the development, Nigeria’s UN envoy said the country supported the resolution to ensure that “Palestine’s voice is heard in critical deliberations on peace and the two-State solution.” The envoy added, “The ability to participate, even virtually, reflects the UN’s commitment to inclusive dialogue and multilateralism.”
The resolution also allows Abbas and other Palestinian officials to deliver statements through a live link or pre-recorded video during the high-level conference on the two-State solution and other related high-level meetings. UN officials noted that these arrangements are specific to the current 80th session.
Separately, the Assembly adopted without a vote a Saudi Arabia-proposed measure permitting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to deliver a statement by video or pre-recorded message at a high-level conference on September 22.
The visa denial stems from a U.S. Department of State announcement on August 29, which cited national security grounds and alleged past failures by the Palestine Liberation Organisation and the Palestinian Authority “for undermining the prospects for peace.”
A Palestinian UN representative described the resolution as “a reaffirmation that political dialogue and participation cannot be curtailed by unilateral restrictions,” adding, “We are grateful to the international community, including Nigeria, for ensuring Palestine can contribute to discussions critical to regional stability and peace.”
