G77+China Summit 2023: International Cooperation is Path to Resolving Global Challenges, Says VP Shettima
* Addresses leaders of the global south
*Honors the accomplishments of young Nigerians in science and technology worldwide.
Vice President Sen. Kashim Shettima said, “We must never forget that cooperation is our compass and the most practical approach towards maximizing the opportunities and overcoming issues before us.
In his address to world leaders on Friday at the G77+China Leaders’ Summit taking place at the Palace Convention in Havana, Cuba, Vice President Shettima made the revelation.
The Vice President stressed the importance of focusing on leveraging partnership or cooperation to find practical solutions to global challenges while addressing an audience of Heads of State and Government, the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Gutteres, and delegates from over 100 countries from the global South.
We must forge a common and mutually beneficial path forward – a road map of shared wealth and growth, he said. We cannot let geopolitical tensions in any region of the world prevent us from doing so.
The Vice President declares Nigeria’s resolve to follow the road of cooperation with G77+China members in order to address global concerns.
“Permit me to underline Nigeria’s commitment to collaborating with our fellow G77 members and China,” he said.
In order to address economic difficulties, particularly in the global south, he promised, “We shall advocate programs that harness the power of science, technology, and innovation.”
The Vice President emphasized the significant importance that science, technology, and innovation have always had in overcoming issues from the past to the present when speaking on the theme, “Current Development issues: The importance of Science, Technology, and Innovation.”
Vice President Shettima remarked in his speech, “Science and technology have altered the destiny of nations throughout history. From pandemic to paradigm shift: Nigeria’s Road to Reinvention. The first through fourth stages of the Industrial Revolution—from mechanization to automation—have determined the prosperity of those countries.
The developing world was at a disadvantage throughout the early stages of these transitions, unable to compete fairly as these revolutions spread around the globe, he continued, adding that it is important to acknowledge this.
According to the vice president, Nigeria is doing its fair share to use science, technology, and innovation to address problems like Covid-19 and the climate issue.
Nigeria “understands that the key to developing innovation in science and technology resides in nurturing a robust knowledge economy and facilitating the uninhibited interchange of ideas,” he said.
Because of this, according to the vice president, “a Nigerian trained at home is not significantly contributing across the globe, even within the most developed nations, whether as a tech innovator or a medical specialist, in the noble pursuit of improving the human condition.”
The Vice President stated, “The COVID-19 epidemic, albeit a tragic chapter, acted as a spur for our creative minds in Nigeria to revive their interests in the realms of science and technology,” in reference to the efforts of the Federal Government to combat Covid-19 in Nigeria using science and technology.
It continues, “Our scientists have effectively positioned our nation as a prominent global hub for mRNA vaccine production, a milestone currently under way.”
Vice President Shettima stressed that “Nigeria’s demographic advantage is not confined to the absence of an elderly population” while praising the contributions made by the youth in the country’s quest for growth in science, technology, and innovation. Nigeria is a shining example of innovative youth talent.
The statement reads, “These young citizens are not only committed to integrating human elements into the developing technology domain, but their efforts also extend to numerous fields, ranging from telemedicine to the automation of agriculture, all with the purpose of making our daily lives more smooth.”
Regarding the climate catastrophe, the vice president stated that “the global climate crisis has also taken center stage on our agenda, inspiring our young innovators to engage in developing answers.”
This ardent dedication, he said, “has led to the creation of start-ups like the Climate Action Africa (CMA) Labs, a hub committed to addressing different difficulties posed by climate change, including severe droughts, flooding, and the rising agricultural complications.”
While highlighting the necessity of international cooperation, the Vice President cautioned that “the stakes are high. The current trend may make it difficult for us to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) if we do not take immediate action.
Earlier The President of Cuba and Chair of the G77+China, Miguel Diaz-Canel, highlighted the precarious situations faced by poor countries who are member-states in his welcome speech at the opening ceremony.
He pointed out that while the global South is still mostly facing very serious development issues, science, technology, and innovation have only benefited wealthier countries. The President therefore called for common wisdom to overcome the challenges.
In his brief remarks, UN Secretary-General Antonio Gutteres also brought up the development issues facing developing nations and vowed that the UN system would keep collaborating with the G77 and China to give solutions.
