The United Nations in Nigeria, in collaboration with the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) and the Office of Strategic Preparedness and Resilience (OSPRE), has convened a strategic dialogue on the “United Nations at 80 and the Pact for the Future,” reinforcing the importance of multilateral cooperation in addressing global challenges.
Speaking at the UN House in Abuja, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, stressed the need for unity and collaboration among nations.
“Peace is fragile. Inequalities grow. Climate change accelerates. Technology advances faster than governance. Yet one truth remains constant: when nations come together, we can overcome even the hardest challenges. That is why the Pact for the Future matters,” Fall said.
He highlighted five pillars underpinning the Pact—sustainable development, peace and security, science and technology, youth and future generations, and global governance—describing them as the foundation for a world of peace, dignity, equality, and sustainability.
Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the UN, represented by Ambassador Syndoph Endoni, welcomed the dialogue as an opportunity to strengthen national and global peacebuilding frameworks. He disclosed that Nigeria was reviewing its peacebuilding strategies to address gaps and focus on security sector reform, women’s participation in peace and security, youth engagement, cross-border terrorism, organized crime, and climate-related security risks.
Former Head of State and Chairman of the National Peace Committee, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (Rtd), in a video message, urged participants to transform dialogue into measurable actions. “Our commitment must be credible, time-bound and deliverable. Anything less can lead to distrust and weaken our democracy,” he said.
Also speaking, Themba Kalua, Director of the UN Team for Pact Implementation, underlined Nigeria’s pivotal role in shaping the global framework, noting its contributions to poverty eradication, digital cooperation, Security Council reform, and climate justice. He stressed that aligning the Pact with Africa’s Agenda 2063 and national priorities would ensure meaningful impact.
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, drew attention to the UN’s “New Agenda for Peace,” launched in 2023 by Secretary-General António Guterres. He described it as a roadmap for strengthening international cooperation through prevention, peacebuilding, empowerment of women and youth, and tackling emerging risks from technology and climate change.
The dialogue emphasized Nigeria’s leadership in advancing global peace, security, and sustainable development, positioning the country as a critical partner in implementing the Pact for the Future.
