By John Ikani
President Muhammadu Buhari will depart Abuja on Sunday for New York to attend the 77th General Assembly of the United Nations (UNGA77).
He will address the UNGA on September 21, his media aide, Mr Femi Adesina stated in Abuja on Saturday.
This will be the first full in-person meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced most addresses to be delivered virtually, but overall numbers have been reduced, with smaller delegations and fewer journalists permitted to cover the event.
The UN’s 193-member states will be provided with a platform and 15 to 20 minutes to address the international community.
The theme for the 77th session which opened on Tuesday, Sept. 13 is: “A watershed moment: Transformative solutions to interlocking challenges.
Key topics of discussion at the UNGA this year include the war in Ukraine, the global energy crisis, climate action, and ending the COVID-19 pandemic.
The UNGA will also hold a special summit of transforming education.
According to the statement, President Buhari will also participate in high level meetings and side events including the Nigeria International Economic Partnership Forum (NIEPF).
The forum is convened by Nigeria in partnership with the Business Council for International Understanding.
While noting that the president would also participate in the EFCC-NEPAD programme on combating illicit financial flows, the statement added that he will also hold strategic bilateral meetings with world leaders, renowned investors and heads of multinational organisations while in New York.
On the entourage of the president are his wife, Aisha, some governors, ministers and top government officials.
The president is expected back in the country on Monday, Sept. 26.
