Buhari off to Qatar for 5th UN conference on Least Developed Countries 

Ahead of the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LCDs) on March 5, President Muhammadu Buhari will on Saturday depart Abuja for Doha, the capital city of Qatar.

The conference holding from March 5 to 9 has as its theme: “From Potential to Prosperity.” It holds once a decade.

A statement by Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s spokesman, said attendance of the summit followed an invitation from the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

“It provides an opportunity to garner the support of the international community for accelerating sustainable development in the LDCs as well as assist them to make progress towards achieving prosperity.

“While in Doha, Buhari will reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to supporting the most vulnerable countries to meet their development challenges,” he said.

The presidential aide revealed that the president would also highlight areas through which the Nigerian government had provided them with various forms of assistance over time.

“As most of these countries struggle to find sustainable solutions to challenges of poverty, adverse effects of climate change, food and energy crisis as well as high-debt burden among others, the Nigerian leader will vigorously reiterate the need for sustainable solutions for countries facing these severe challenges,” he said.

The summit is expected to be attended by world leaders, the private sector, civil society and youth organizations.

It aims to share developmental ideas and mobilize political will, solidarity, action and solutions to transform the LDCs, by finding sustainable solutions to the challenges of poverty, food insecurity, hunger and weak or non-existent infrastructure.

The summit will also address the challenges of inadequate health facilities, climate change among others as they struggle to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

On the president’s delegation are some ministers and top government officials, who are expected to use the opportunity of the visit to sign some agreements and Memoranda of Understanding with the Qatari Government.

Buhari is expected to return to the country on Monday.