*Calls for UN reforms on United Nations on Peace and Security, Development and Human Rights

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, has canvassed for Nigeria to become a permanent member of G20 in the nearest future.

He made the appeal at the just concluded G-30 in New Delhi, India, where he participated actively.

Commending the government of India for extending the invitation to Nigeria, Onyeama said: “I am therefore of a strong conviction that as the largest economy in Africa, with stable and uninterrupted democratic governance, Nigeria should become a permanent member of G20 in the nearest future.”

He further described the invitation by India as a demonstration of the high level of warm relations that existed between Nigeria and India in particular and members of G20 in general.

He applauded the government of India for a well thought-out theme: ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’ which he said, took into cognizance, the significance of the earth and the need to protect it.

According to him, “Nigeria attaches significant importance to the G20 as the premier forum for global economic cooperation and its role in shaping and strengthening global architecture and governance on all major international economic issues and other fields that are of concern to members and the world at large.”

Adding: “We look forward to working closely with the G20 and its members as we seek to address issues of concern in today’s world, including the need to develop digital health solutions; vocational training and technology transfer to the South.”

Others are, “digital finance and financial inclusion in developing countries; wholistic approach to debt burden, climate change and post-pandemic recovery measures.”

While addressing the Meeting on Strengthening Multilateralism and Need for reforms, Onyeama noted that Nigeria recognized the fact that the most pressing issues cannot be addressed without multilateral cooperation, stronger collaboration and cooperation among diverse regions.

“Today’s challenges require a revitalized international cooperation that is effective, representative and inclusive; that which guarantees a world that is governed by acceptable rules and norms and that which give opportunity for all to open trade, prosperity, and shared progress.

“It is in this respect that we reiterate our call for a reform of the United Nations in all its three pillars – Peace and Security, Development and Human Rights. We note that a rules-based, non-discriminatory, free, fair, open, inclusive, equitable, sustainable and transparent multilateral trading system, with the WTO at its core, is a desideratum for addressing our shared objectives, especially in realizing the sustainable development goals.

“We further wish to join other countries in calling for the reform of other institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to make them more attuned to the needs of developing countries.”
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Adding: “Your Excellencies, let me use this platform to draw attention to our unending call for a reform of the UN Security Council that will ensure Africa’s legitimate right to fair and equitable representation in the Council: taking into account the principles, objectives, and
ideals of the United Nations Charter for a fairer world based on universalism, equity and regional balance within the United Nations system.

“Our demand, which is legitimate, is well espoused in the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte declaration, which calls for expansion in both the permanent and non-permanent categories of the Security
Council. African states have offered a coherent, practical and persuasive blueprint for the Council’s reform.

“We have come up with a common position, which asserts the right of our continent that has for so long been marginalized, and we recognize the
legitimate aspirations of other regions to be fully represented in the Council”, Onyeama said.

The Foreign Affairs Minister also spoke on Food and Energy Security as well as Development Cooperation, while in Session II. He addressed the Meeting on Counter-Terrorism: New and Emerging Threats; Global Skill Mapping and Talent Pool and on Human Assistance and Disaster Relief.

Also on the sidelines of the Foreign Ministers Meeting, Minister Onyeama participated in a meet and greet event with the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi and held a bilateral meeting with the United States Foreign Secretary, Antony Blinken.