President Goodluck Jonathan will on Sunday lead the Nigeria’s delegation to the 67th General Assembly of the United Nations in New York which has the peaceful resolution of international disputes, a theme as its main focus.
The President of the 67th Assembly, Vuk Jeremic of Serbia announced at its opening on Tuesday that having consulted widely on the matter, he has chosen “bringing about adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations by peaceful means” as the overarching theme for the General Assembly’s work over the next 12 months.
Mr Jonathan had in his 2011 address to the General Assembly called on the international community to muster the political will to promote preventive diplomacy for the peaceful resolution of international disputes through mediation.
“For too long, the international community has focused too little attention on mediation and preventive diplomacy and far too much effort and resources on military aspects of peace and security. Yet, measures to address the root cause of conflict, including dialogue and mediation, can be far more effective as means to achieving sustainable peace and stability.
“As I see it, our goal should always be to present the peaceful alternative as a less costly and effective way of achieving political and social objectives. By focusing on mediation as a tool for conflict prevention, we are able to address the real triggers of conflict, without which we cannot achieve sustainable solutions,” Mr Jonathan had declared in his address to world leaders at the United Nations last year.
A statement issued by Reuben Abati, the Senior Adviser to President Jonathan said those that will be travelling with the president includes Isa Yuguda the governor of Bauchi State, Godswill Akpabio the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Philip Aduda, Honourable Isa Ashiru Mohammed, as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and the Minister of Trade and Investment.
The statement further said that in addition to participating in the 67th Session of the General Assembly, President Jonathan is also scheduled to meet with other world leaders including the Presidents of China, France, South Korea, Brazil, Bulgaria, Finland and Switzerland in New York.
“He will also deliver a statement to the High-Level Meeting on the Rule of Law at the United Nations Headquarters and join the Prime Minister of Norway, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg with whom he currently serves as co-Chairperson of the UN Commission on Life-Saving Commodities for Women and Children in presenting its report to the Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki Moon.
“President Jonathan will also attend a High-Level Meeting on the Nigerian Economy, meet with the Chairman and top executives of the global oil giant, Exxon-Mobil, attend a reception hosted by President Barack Obama of the United States and the Secretary-General’s High-Level event on the eradication of Polio,” the statement said.
