The federal government of Nigeria has explained the implications arising from the trade of illicit small arms and light weapons and human trafficking.
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The Nigerian Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Joy Ogwu, while addressing the Security Council’s debate at the headquarters of the world body, said multiple threats ranging from traditional issues to the cause and consequence of war and climate change had neither boundaries nor respect for borders or nationalities.?
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“One prime example was the trade of illicit small arms and light weapons.? As the world was extremely unequal, those threats were compounded by poverty, social cohesion and governance.? The complex challenges underlined the urgent need for vision and leadership from the United Nations and member states.?
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To that end, the council should reposition itself to deal with that reality” she said.
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The Nigeria’s envoy continued that trafficking and pandemics, such as HIV/AIDS, were also exacerbated by underdevelopment, noting the chilling link between underdevelopment and conflict.?
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“Human migration and climate change had a profound impact.? In many cases, people walked across borders, concentrating the pressure on already scarce resources in a bid for their survival” she noted.
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Prof. Ogwu also said that the recent memorandum of understanding between UNODC and UNHCR marked a signal of recognition of the transnational nature of trafficking, stressing that the criminal networks responsible for trafficking were far-reaching, but they could be broken down.?
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“A concerted, comprehensive response was needed, which supported states in heading off threats in an increasingly changing world. I propose an ad hoc working group to identify challenges and assist the council in its work. Threats were globalized and the human agents were getting more sophisticated.? A collective response could not be outpaced by that increasing sophistication”
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During another briefing, a senior minister of the Nigeria’s mission to the United Nations, Mr. Kio Solomon Amieyeofori,? said the political and security situation in Timor-Leste was calm and stability continued to characterize the prevailing landscape.