President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday called for reforms that would ensure fair and equitable representation in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Spokesman for the president, Mr. Femi Adesina said in a statement that Buhari made the call at a virtual meeting of the UN General Assembly to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the international organisation.
The president described demands for the reform as “just and long overdue” and pledged Nigeria’s commitment to the UN’s principles of human rights, peace and security, and democratic governance.
He also pledged the country’s rededication to what he described as multilateralism and rules-based international system.
The president also expressed optimism that this year’s event would offer the UN the platform to respond to numerous challenges confronting member states.
“The demand for the reform of the United Nations Security Council is just and a place for Africa in the very strategic Organ of the Organisation is long-overdue.
“In our collective effort to rebuild the United Nations of our dream, Nigeria reaffirms her commitment to uphold the principles of the United Nations including human rights, peace and security, as well as democratic governance.
“I, therefore, reiterate Nigeria’s rededication to multilateralism and the rules-based international system.
“It is my hope that this anniversary will encourage us to respond to the numerous challenges we face and support efforts aimed at building the United Nations system we desire,” he said.
The president hailed the UN for remaining true to the aspirations of its founders.
On Nigeria’s participation at the UN, Buhari said the country had remained a reliable partner of the UN in its aspiration to achieve its mandate of a more peaceful, secure, and developed world.
He described the 75th general assembly as “significant” because it coincides with the 60th year of Nigeria’s membership of the UN.
He enumerated the various ways Nigeria has contributed to the UN’s peacekeeping and humanitarian operations, adding that Nigeria has on five different occasions served as a non-permanent member of the Security Council.
“This year’s celebration is significant to Nigeria as it coincides with our 60th anniversary of joining this esteemed Organisation.
“As an active member of the organisation, Nigeria has contributed human, financial and material resources to several United Nations peacekeeping operations.
“We have also provided humanitarian aid to refugees and displaced persons; helped countries in tackling diseases such as Ebola and extended both human and financial resources as technical aid to other countries.
“In addition, we have served on five occasions as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and contributed significantly to the promotion of international peace and security,” he said.
Buhari said the UN had continued to play the crucial role of promoting global peace and security.
He highlighted Nigeria’s achievements at the UN since 1960 when the country officially joined the organisation.
In addition, he highlighted the country’s active contributions in human, financial and material resources to several UN peacekeeping operations, among other priorities.
“For over seven decades, the UN has remained true to the aspirations of its founders. It continues to play a crucial role in fostering global peace and security. The organisation has grown in membership and scope to reflect contemporary global trends.
“Collectively, we have improved and saved lives as well as defended the rights of the vulnerable in adherence to the principles of the United Nations,” the president said.
Furthermore, the president said the nations of the world have worked together to shelter refugees, foster development; invest in conflict resolution and peacekeeping, and promoted women’s and children’s rights.
He also commented on decolonization and called on member states to abide by UN Resolution 1514 seeking the independence of colonial countries and peoples.
He said the quest to realise total decolonisation remains incomplete as long as non-self-governing territories continue to exist.
The president recalled that beyond issues of peace and security, the UN also played active roles in the decolonisation of many territories.
“This was achieved through the adoption of many resolutions that supported the independence and subsequent admission of over 80 territories into the Organisation.
“However, the quest to realise total decolonisation remains incomplete as long as non-self-governing territories continue to exist. In this regard, I call on member states to abide by UN Resolution 1514 on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples.’’
He added that in spite of progress made in safeguarding world peace and promoting global cooperation, the world is still faced with complex challenges.
“Efforts to address impediments for the attainment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development were undermined by the advent of the Coronavirus pandemic which brought about unprecedented challenges that cannot be tackled by any single country or region.
“The inward-looking tendencies exhibited by member states in the wake of the pandemic have particularly revealed an urgent need for us to strengthen international cooperation, unity, and solidarity to address all negative developments including climate change, violent extremism, natural disasters, and cyber-security.
“However, as we continue to battle the pandemic and search for possible solutions, including an effective vaccine, we implore nations to adopt a global approach in addressing the global health emergency in a bid to build the future we want,” he said.
