UN Deputy Sec-Gen calls for contributions to ensure planet, people safety

United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Ms Amina Mohammed, has called for Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to ensure the safety of the planet and people globally.

This is contained in a statement by Dr Oluseyi Soremekun, National Information Officer, UN Information Centre (UNIC), on Tuesday in Abuja.

The statement said that Mohammed made the call during her two-day official visit to Nigeria from Jan. 9 to 10.

It said that Mohammed was accompanied by Leonardo Simão, UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS).

Soremekun said the UN Deputy Sec-Gen also engaged and mobilised support for regional integration, stability and development.

Her other engagements included strengthening humanitarian-development-peace nexus, pact for the future and partnership for urgent action to combat climate change impacts.

“Member States, including Nigeria with support of the UN and other stakeholders need to deliver more ambitious NDCs, to ensure safer and more liveable future for both the planet and people everywhere.

“On Pact for the future as outcome of the Summit of the future held in September, 2024 in New York, the treaty remains a pathway to getting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) back on track.

“The Pact is not a separate agenda from the SDGs. It is one and the same, which is why the first chapter is on SDGs and financing for development.

“It is about international peace and security, science, technology, innovation, digital cooperation, youth, future generations, and transforming global governance,” Mohammed explained.

She said the UN in Nigeria would strengthen its partnership with the Federal Government through diligent implementation of the UN and Nigeria Cooperation Framework (2023-2027).

Mohammed said that the UN would continue to support the development aspirations of the people of Nigeria and leave no one behind.

The UN deputy secretary-general also had series of high-level meetings with President Bola Tinubu and Mr Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

Others included the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda and other senior government officials.

She also paid visits to Dr Omar Touray, President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the UN Country Team under the leadership of Mohamed Fall, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator.

The visit centered on ensuring food security, durable solutions to internal displacement, and leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to enhance Nigeria’s trade and economic relations across the region.