Buhari in Qatar for Least Developed Countries Conference

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

President Muhammadu Buhari has left the shores of Nigeria for Qatar to attend the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LCDs).

Mr Buhari jetted off on Saturday for the programme taking place in Doha, the capital city of Qatar.

The conference, themed From Potential to Prosperity, will commence on Sunday, March 5 and will end on Thursday, March 9, 2023, but Mr Buhari will be expected back into the country on Wednesday, March 8.

A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, disclosed that Mr Buhari was invited to the event, which holds once a decade, by the Emir of Qatar, Mr Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

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

In Doha, President Buhari will reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to supporting the most vulnerable countries to meet their development challenges, highlighting areas through which the Nigerian government has 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 crises 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.

The summit will be attended by world leaders, the private sector, civil society and youth organisations. 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, weak or non-existent infrastructure, inadequate health facilities, climate change, among others as they struggle to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

President Buhari’s delegation includes 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.