Delegation from

The Federal Republic of Nigeria

Represented by
MacEwan University

Position Paper For the United Nations General Assembly Second Committee
The topics presented before the General Assembly Second Committee are: Promoting Access to Renewable
and Sustainable Energy for Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Development; Financing for Development;
and World Commodity Trends and Prospects. The Federal Republic of Nigeria (Nigeria) is committed to
working in collaboration with the international community in promoting the economic and social progress
of developing countries by eliminating poverty and increasing access to sustainable development programs,
in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
I.

Promoting Access to Renewable and Sustainable Energy for Poverty Reduction and
Sustainable Development

Nigeria recognizes the need to align itself with sustainable development and is committed to the principles
outlined in the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (RIO+20). In accordance with
National Vision 20:2020 (NV20: 2020), Nigeria has begun to implement the Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs) outlined in the RIO+20 document. In accordance to A/RES/66/288, Nigeria is committed to
eradicating poverty, promoting sustainable patterns of consumptions and protecting and managing the
natural resources base of economic and social development to combat sustainable development. As a nation
whose primary energy consumption is from traditional biomass and waste, Nigeria is committed to
reducing energy production via Natural Gas and is working with the International Center of Energy,
Environment and Development (ICEED) to implement small-hydro and solar-PV with the goal of
achieving 36% renewable electricity generation by 2035, particularly focussing on SDGs 1,7 and 9.
Nigerias Renewable Energy Master Plan (REMP) targets 75% higher electrification rates by 2025 in an
effort to bring power to rural areas. Nigeria firmly believes that distributing and implementing renewable
energies will reduce the rural population's dependence on wood burning stoves and will significantly
increase quality of life, while reducing its carbon footprint. We call upon Member States to work in
cooperation with the distribution of green energy. Nigeria recognizes the sustainable development
initiatives being implemented by the international community and reaffirms the importance of assisting
least developed countries (LDCs) as well as the international community onto the path of sustainable
development. Nigeria commends the work of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Access
to Renewable Energy Programme (AREP) for establishing a Small Grants Programme focused on
Renewable Energy. Nigeria promotes capacity building, national sustainable development policies to
encourage green economies in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication. Nigeria
affirms the importance of implementing off-grid electrical systems as an inexpensive transitional
technology to implement in order to reduce dependence on wood burning stoves. Nigeria recognizes that
the Africa Energy Group (AFTEG) has taken steps to promote the adoption of sustainable solutions through
the creation of Africa Clean Cooking Solutions (ACCES) by increasing access to modern technology and
cleaner fuels with the purpose of alleviating the adverse health, environment, and socio-economic impacts
of traditional cooking practices in Africa. Recalling A/RES/65/151, Nigeria is committed to developing
sustainable energy by collaborating with the international community to increase the adoption of
sustainable technologies. We encourage all Member States, in partnership with the United Nations and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to address energy issues, providing modern energy services for all,
increasing the access to affordable energy, and sustainable energy sources.
II.

Financing For Development

Nigeria is committed to the initiatives and goals outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
and urges all member states to recognize their commitment to accomplishing these goals. Appreciating the
significance of the United Nations Declaration on the Right to Development, we affirm that every nation
has the right to equal opportunity of development, adopted in A/RES/41/128. Nigeria has made great
progress since the World Summit on Sustainable Development in accordance to the African Development
Initiative and the World Development Initiative in 2013. With the directive actions of Nigerias Federal
Ministry of Environment, our nation has actively involved itself with the United National Conference on

Sustainable Development, the 1992 Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, including the
development and implementation of the National Agenda 21, and the activities of the United Nations
Commission on Sustainable Development. As part of our national preparatory process to RIO+20 Summit,
three national stakeholders workshops were held for governmental and non-governmental bodies.
Acclaiming the importance of the goals outlined in the SDGs, Nigeria particularly focuses on tackling
poverty, reducing inequality through inclusive policies and development programs, promoting
environmental sustainability, addressing the challenge of climate change, and promoting globalization and
new information technology. As poverty remains a critical challenge, Nigeria recognizes the need to foster
sustainable and rapid economic growth to meet the populations need through, innovative and practical
financing and financial inclusion. Nigeria firmly believes that foreign direct investment and international
trade is a major basis for economic development. Hence, Nigeria welcomes the establishment of the
Intergovernmental Committee of Experts on Sustainable Development Financing, providing effective
financing strategies, as noted in A/RES/68/204. We stress the importance of micro-financing in aiding
developing and LDCs with capacity building to provide them assistance in becoming self-sufficient.
Nigeria has adopted International Monetary Funds (IMF) resources-for-infrastructure financing model, and
will continue to be involved in the discussion and implementation of financing for development. Nigeria
advocates for the resources-for-infrastructure financing model for LDCs. The Central Bank of Nigeria
acknowledges the importance of financing development activities for economic development, particularly
in the areas of poverty reduction, employment generation, wealth creation and improving welfare and
general standard of living. Currently, Nigeria addresses financing for development through the Agricultural
Credit Guarantee Scheme (ACGS), Commodity Surveillance, Microfinance, Small Medium Enterprise
Financing and Investment Scheme, and the Refinancing and Rediscounting Scheme. We commend the
United Nations for addressing this important issue in A/RES/68/204, through assessing the implementation
and the constraints encountered while achieving the goals of the Monterrey Consensus and Doha
Declaration on Financing for Development at the Third International Conference for Financing For
Development. Nigeria believes that the protection and sustainability of the international community
through financing programs and initiatives should be of paramount importance. We emphasize the need for
international and economic organizations, such as the IMF, the World Bank, and World Trade
Organization, as well as NGOs, to unite in assisting LDCs and the international community in their
sustainable development and financing for sustainable development.
III.

World Commodity Trends and Prospects

Nigeria recognizes the need to collaborate with the international community in regard to world
commodities and future prospects, as outlined in A/RES/68/204. Nigeria acknowledges the significance of
the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health TD/500/Add.1 as it represents the first
working program on commodity trade and development pertaining to development-centered globalization,
and emphasizing sustainable and inclusive growth and development. Nigeria commends the work of the
international community and the United Nations with the creation of the Agricultural Market Information
Systems (AMIS), which serves to share information and predict future market supplies. As an oil-exporting
nation, Nigeria is concerned with world commodity supplies and demands. Aligned with the Doha
Mandate, Nigeria recognizes the necessity in supporting developing and LDCs in their ability to benefit
from commodity production and trade, and calls for its Members states to assist LDCs in addressing the
SDGs. We recognize that the inclusion and integration of developing countries into the world economy is
vital in supporting their development and sustainability, as well their contribution to the global market, as
outlined in A/RES/68/204, which recognizes international trade as a means to addressing sustainable
development and financing. Affirming the principles outlined in A/RES/68/219, Nigeria calls upon the
international community to be actively involved in multilateral trade, the integration and administration of
economic and financial infrastructure in furthering sustainable development, and ensuring greater
coherence and coordination among the international community to facilitate the international flow of world
commodities. With the Green Commodities Programme (GCP), The Republic of Nigeria aims to address
the economic, social, and environmental issues of developing countries related to the agricultural
commodity sector. We recognize the importance of world commodity trends and the effects that price
fluctuations have on LDCs, as well as its impact on international trade. Nigeria is committed to
collaborating with its Member states to combat this important issue, as we recognize its relations to the
SDGs.