Vice President Kashim Shettima, in the early hours of Wednesday, departed Nigeria to represent President Bola Tinubu at the G77+China Leaders’ Summit in Havana, Cuba, holding from September 15 to 17.

The Director of Information, Office of the Vice President, Olusola Abiola, in a statement, said Shettima would join other world leaders, including the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Gutteres, at the Summit.

He said the Summit would deliberate on development issues facing members, mostly from the global south.

Abiola stated: “The summit will equally explore proactive ways of addressing challenges facing the development of the member-states leveraging science, technology and innovation to enhance socio-economic growth.

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“Also, Shettima will, on the sidelines of the Summit, hold bilateral meetings with other world leaders to promote Nigeria’s trade and investment relations in line with the economic development diplomacy of the President Bola Tinubu administration.”

Abiola said the Havana Summit would be hosted by the President of the Republic of Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel, in his capacity as Chairman of the G77.

The theme of the Summit is “Current Development Challenges: The Role of Science, Technology and Innovation.”

He recalled that Nigeria was a founding member of the G77 group established in 1964 by 77 developing countries.

“The group, a coalition of 134 developing countries with 80 per cent of world population, aims to promote its members’ collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the United Nations,” he added.

Abiola said Shettima would be accompanied by Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Abubakar Kyari; his innovation, science and technology counterpart, Uche Nnaji; and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Adamu Lamuwa.

The Star