President Bola Tinubu is set to depart from Abuja to attend the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, which is scheduled to take place from September 19 to September 23. This will mark Tinubu’s inaugural participation in the UNGA.
According to a statement from Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, the UNGA’s theme is focused on “Rebuilding Trust and Reigniting Global Solidarity: Accelerating Action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability for all.” During the first day of the High-Level General Debate of the 78th UNGA Session, President Tinubu is expected to deliver his inaugural National Statement. Before participating in the General Debate, he will join other world leaders in the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (UN 2023 Summit on SDGs).
Tinubu’s address will cover various important topics, including sustainable development, climate change, global cooperation, and the need to address inequalities and global humanitarian crises. He will also participate in several events, such as the High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development, High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response, and the UN Secretary General’s Climate Ambition Summit, among others.
During his time in New York, President Tinubu is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with world leaders, including the Presidents of the European Union Commission, Brazil, and South Africa. He will also promote his economic development agenda and attract aggressive investment from transnational firms like Microsoft, Meta Technologies, Exxon Mobil, General Electric, and more. Additionally, on the sidelines of the UNGA, President Tinubu will address American business leaders at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to present emerging cross-sectoral investment opportunities in Nigeria.
He will also conduct the closing ceremony at the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) Headquarters, making him the first African President to do so. Furthermore, Tinubu plans to address the Nigerian SMEs Business Summit, emphasizing the growing role of Nigerian enterprises in global trade.
He will be accompanied by governors, ministers, and other high-ranking government officials involved in various UNGA programs for the 78th Summit.