President Bola Tinubu emphasized the importance of world leaders embracing multilateralism and rejecting protectionism for long-lasting peace, security, and stability.
In his capacity as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Tinubu delivered the statement to participants on Thursday in Beijing, China, at a high-level conference on peace and security at the 2024 Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
The president stated that cooperation based on equality, inclusivity, and respect for one another is necessary to confront the problems that the modern world faces, which range from food shortages to armed war.
The president stated, “I thank the African Union for being very consistent in their advocacy for global peace and working towards the realization of its vision for a peaceful and secure Africa as articulated in Agenda 2063.
”The AU’s Silencing the Guns Initiative has been pivotal in restoring peace across the continent and reinforcing the call for global peace.
“Your Excellencies, as the world searches for new ways of establishing an enduring peace amidst complicated and dynamic security challenges across regions, I say that there is an urgent need to rethink the approach to global governance and economic development.
“Embracing multilateralism, rejecting protectionism and strengthening cooperative partnership is essential if we must achieve lasting peace, security, stability, and prosperity for future generations.
“We have very little time left and I send sincere appreciation to the People’s Republic of China for its unwavering commitment to building a shared future for the advancement of humanity.”
He praised China’s contributions to Africa’s development through programs like the Belt and Road and FOCAC and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to advancing security, peace, and good governance throughout West Africa.
He also emphasised how critical it is to address the underlying issues that lead to war, such as social injustice, poverty, and inequality. He highlighted that genuine peace involves not only the absence of conflict but also the existence of equity, justice, human security, and economic opportunity.
The president also stated that Nigeria has been a key player in ECOWAS’s transition from an economic bloc to an integrated regional security architecture for West Africa. Its leadership has been instrumental in developing conflict resolution mechanisms and upholding good governance, combating terrorism, providing humanitarian aid, and engaging in peacekeeping, diplomacy, and mediation.
Nigeria’s approach to promoting peace and stability in West Africa is comprehensive, involving military intervention, diplomatic engagement, dialogue, negotiations, and mutually beneficial economic collaboration. The president pledges to strengthen efforts for a secure and prosperous West Africa, stating that their commitment to peacebuilding is unwavering.
