Buhari to address UN summit on Least Developed Countries today

From Egena Sunday Ode, in Qatar

President Muhammadu Buhari will on Monday address the delegates at the ongoing United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

Buhari who departed Abuja on Saturday for the fifth edition of the conference taking place in Doha, Qatar was among prominent leaders that graced the opening ceremony of the week long event on Sunday.

A statement on Saturday announcing the departure for the event expected to be attended by no fewer than 46 presidents and heads of governments said Buhari’s participation followed an invitation by the Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The conference which is taking place from 5th to 9th March, 2023 under the theme: “From Potential to Prosperity,” holds once in a decade and provides an opportunity to garner the support of the international community for accelerating sustainable development in the LDCs as well as assist them make progress towards achieving prosperity.

The statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity,

Garba Shehu, said Buhari, will in his address to the August body, reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to support the most vulnerable countries to meet their development challenges, highlighting areas through which the Nigerian government has provided them with various forms of assistance over time.

As most of these countries struggle to find sustainable solutions to challenges of poverty, adverse effects of climate change, food and energy crisis as well as high-debt burden among others, the Nigerian leader will vigorously reiterate the need for sustainable solutions for countries facing these severe challenges, Shehu said in the statement.

The Summit is being attended by world leaders, the private sector, civil society and youth organisations.

Garba noted that the summit aimed to share developmental ideas and mobilize political will, solidarity, action and solutions to transform the LDCs, by finding sustainable solutions to the challenges of poverty, food insecurity, hunger, weak or non-existent infrastructure, inadequate health facilities, climate change among others as they struggle to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

President Buhari’s delegation included ministers and top government officials who are expected to use the opportunity of the visit to sign some agreements and Memoranda of Understanding with the Qatari government.

The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterresin his address urged the 46 affected countries to take ownership of Doha programme of action to eradicate poverty and other issues militating again their development.