President Goodluck Jonathan insisted yesterday that
Nigeria deserves a seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in the
2014-2015 session.
He told world leaders and other delegates
at the opening of the 68th Session of the General Assembly of the United
Nations in New York, United States, that the Economic Community of West African
States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) had already endorsed Nigeria for the
position.
According to him, the global
community should also be assured of Nigeria’s commendable performance when it
held a non-permanent seat on the Security Council.
Jonathan, in the statement issued by
his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said: “Our
support for the United Nations Security Council in its primary responsibility
for the maintenance of international peace and security has been total and
unwavering.”
“We have, in previous membership of
the Council, demonstrated both the political will and capacity to engage in key
Council responsibilities.
“I am pleased to state that Nigeria
has received the endorsement of the Economic Community of West African States
(ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU).
We, therefore, urge this august
Assembly to endorse Nigeria’s candidature for a non-permanent seat on the
Security Council,” he added.
Stressing that Nigeria and other
developing countries were concerned about the lack of progress in the
reformation of the United Nations, Jonathan called for quick action towards the
democratisation of the Security Council.
He said: “I believe that I express
the concern of many about the slow pace of effort and apparent lack of progress
in the reform of the United Nations, especially the Security Council. We
believe strongly, that the call for democratisation worldwide should not be for
States only, but also, for International Organisations such as the United
Nations.”
“That is why we call for the
democratisation of the Security Council.
This is desirable for the
enthronement of justice, equity, and fairness; and also for the promotion of a
sense of inclusiveness and balance in our world,” Jonathan said.
On various global challenges,
Jonathan called for a renewed and concerted effort by the international
community to effectively resolve all issues that currently impede global peace,
stability and progress.
“Our world continues to be
confronted by pressing problems and threats. No statement that will be made
during this Session can exhaust the extent of these problems. The world looks
to us, as leaders, to provide hope in the midst of crisis, to provide guidance
through difficult socio-political divisions, and to ensure that we live in a
better world.”
“We have obligations to the present
generation, but we have a greater obligation to generations yet unborn who
should one day inherit a world of sufficiency irrespective of the circumstances
of their birth or where they reside on the globe. We must work to make that
world a reality in recognition of our common heritage.”
“We must dedicate ourselves to
working together to address global, regional and national challenges and
deliver a more peaceful, equitable and prosperous world for all. It is our
duty. We must not fail”,” he stated
Jonathan also restated his called
for the international community to confront the menace of global terrorism with
greater resolve and determination.
He said: “Terrorism constitutes a
major threat to global peace and security, and undermines the capacity for
sustained development. In Nigeria, the threat of terrorism in a few States in
the North Eastern part of our country has proven to be a major challenge to
national stability. We are therefore confronting it with every resource at our
disposal with due regard for fundamental human rights and the rule of law.”
“The reign of terror anywhere in the
world is an assault on our collective humanity. Three days ago, the stark
reality of this menace was again brought to the fore by the dastardly terrorist
attack in Nairobi, Kenya. We must stand together to win this war together,”
President Jonathan said.
Commending Nigeria’s selection as
co-Chair of the United Nations Expert Committee on Financing Sustainable Development,
he said: “The importance of this Committee’s assignment cannot be overstated.
For the post-2015 development agenda to be realistic, it must be backed by a
robust financing framework which I hope will receive the strong backing of our
Organisation’s more endowed members.”
He congratulated UN member-states on
the adoption of the Arms Trade Treaty.
“Our hope is that upon its entry
into force, the ATT would herald an era of accountable trade in conventional
arms which is critical to the security of nations,” the President said.
While condemning the reported use of
chemical weapons in the Syrian crisis, he welcomed current diplomatic efforts
to avert a further escalation of the crisis in the country.
He also urged world leaders to adopt
measures and policies that will promote nuclear disarmament, protect and renew
the world’s environment, and push towards an international system that is based
on trust, mutual respect and shared goals.
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Politics