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.
The Nation
0 comments:
Post a Comment