Vice President Kashim Shettima has underscored the importance of international cooperation in addressing global challenges. Shettima made these remarks during his address at the ongoing G77+China Leaders’ Summit in Cuba, where he also spoke to an audience comprising Heads of State and Government, UN Secretary-General Antonio Gutteres, and delegates from over 100 countries in the global South.
The vice president stressed the necessity of focusing on cooperation and partnerships to develop practical solutions for global issues. He stated, “We must always bear in mind that cooperation is our guiding principle and the most pragmatic approach to maximize opportunities and overcome the challenges before us. Geopolitical tensions in any part of the world should not deter us from forging a collective and mutually beneficial path towards shared prosperity and progress.”
Shettima expressed Nigeria’s commitment to collaborate with the member-states of the G77+China in addressing global challenges. He stated, “Allow me to reaffirm Nigeria’s dedication to partnering with our fellow member nations of the G77 and China. We will champion initiatives that harness the potential of science, technology, and innovation to address economic challenges, particularly within the global South.”
Regarding the summit’s theme, “Current Development Challenges: The Role of Science, Technology, and Innovation,” Shettima highlighted the significant role that science, technology, and innovation have played in solving historical and contemporary challenges. He emphasized that these advancements have been instrumental in shaping the destinies of nations and acknowledged the historical disparities in accessing these advancements by the developing world.
The vice president also pointed out Nigeria’s contributions to leveraging science, technology, and innovation to combat challenges such as COVID-19 and the climate crisis. He mentioned Nigeria’s efforts in mRNA vaccine production and praised the nation’s youth for their contributions to science and technology advancement.
Shettima noted that Nigeria’s demographic advantage lies in its youthful population, which is actively engaged in various fields, including telemedicine and agricultural automation.
Regarding the climate crisis, he highlighted the formation of initiatives like Climate Action Africa (CMA) Labs to address climate change challenges, including droughts, floods, and agricultural complexities.
Shettima emphasized the urgency of global partnerships and warned that failing to take action could jeopardize the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In his opening speech at the summit, President of Cuba and Chair of G77+China, Miguel Diaz-Canel, expressed concern over the challenges faced by developing countries and called for collective wisdom to address them. UN Secretary-General António Guterres acknowledged the development issues confronting developing nations and pledged the UN’s continued collaboration with the G77 and China to find solutions.
NAN
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