NEWS
French President, Emmanuel Macron Heads to New York for 81st UNGA as President Tinubu Remains in Paris
French President Emmanuel Macron has departed Paris for New York to participate in the high-level segment of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, leaving Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the French capital as he continues his annual leave.
Macron’s departure comes as presidents, prime ministers and senior government officials from around the world converge on New York for the opening of the UNGA high-level week, which begins on Tuesday, September 22.
While the French leader heads to the United States for the global diplomatic gathering, President Tinubu will not personally attend this year’s General Assembly.
Instead, Tinubu has delegated Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the international summit.
Shettima has already arrived in New York and is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement during the General Debate. He is also scheduled to participate in high-level meetings and hold bilateral engagements with other world leaders and senior international officials.
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim, has maintained that Tinubu’s absence does not amount to a lack of representation for Nigeria at the global forum.
According to him, the Vice President, supported by other senior Nigerian officials, will adequately represent the country and advance its interests throughout the assembly.
Tinubu’s decision to stay away from the 81st UNGA means that Shettima will represent him at the General Debate for the third consecutive year, following his participation on the President’s behalf in 2024 and 2025.
The Nigerian President personally addressed the United Nations General Assembly in 2023, during his first year in office.
With world leaders gathering in New York to discuss major global challenges, Nigeria’s delegation is expected to use the week-long engagements to project the country’s diplomatic, economic and development priorities on the international stage.