Nigeria’s Vice President is expected to market the country to global audience at the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum presently holding in Davos, Switzerland.
The Forum started on Monday 15th January and it is expected to end on Friday, 19th January, with series of meetings lined up for the leader of the Nigeria’s delegation, Vice President Kashim Shettima.
A statement by the Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar on Monday, said Nigeria’s resilient business climate resonates with the agenda of the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum; the 2024 edition with the theme Rebuilding Trust.
The statement which was signed by the spokesman of the Minister, Alkasim Abdulkadir noting that the intention of the meeting held annually in Davos, Switzerland, is to provide a crucial space that offers solutions to global challenges facing countries, especially transiting countries, said: “This year, the organizers of WEF have taken a step back and focused on the fundamental principles of driving trust, including transparency, consistency and accountability. All these soundly resonate with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which is propelled by a commitment to unleashing the country’s full economic potential through focusing on job creation, access to capital for small and large businesses, inclusivity and, most importantly, the rule of law which underpins WEF’s theme for this year.”
Tuggar revealed that Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima, alongside 52 other Heads of State, including Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, and Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany, as well as over 1,500 CEOs and Chairpersons of the largest companies in the world, are expected at the global event.
He said the Vice President during the weeklong Forum is expected to engage with top global investors at the Meeting and participate in a series of programmes designed for Nigeria, including a Country Strategy Dialogue on Nigeria.
He added that the Nigeria’s delegation at Davos will be part of the Country Strategy Dialogue on Nigeria, which s a roundtable that will be chaired by Vice President Shettima – with the expected participation of 60 global CEOs/Chairs.
The Minister also said Nigeria is expected to have a stakeholder dialogue entitled “Transforming Energy Demand” to discuss what companies and governments can do to enable economic growth with less energy, where Minister of Petroleum Resources will be on the panel of discussants representing the Vice President.
The Vice President is also scheduled to hold a private meeting with Dolf van den Brink, Global Chief Executive Officer, Heineken to discuss areas of partnerships and collaboration and later in the same day attend another stakeholder dialogue entitled “Treating Soil as a Precious Resource to discuss ways of tackling the trilemma of food access and affordability, nutrition and health, as well as nature and climate, where he would be represented by the Minister of Industry, Trade & Investment, according to Tuggar.
Foreign Affairs Minister said the Vice President will privately meet James Quincey, Global Executive Chief Officer of Coca-Cola Company, with the engagement ending with a private dinner with Klaus and Hilde Schwab; noting that the dinner brings together Heads of State, Government, and International Organisations as well as members of the Board of Trustees, the International Business Council, and Strategic Partners.
Tuggar also revealed that the Vice President is scheduled to have a private breakfast entitled Driving Action Under the African Continental Free Trade Area, where the Forum Friends of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) coalition brings together heads of state, ministers, chief executives, and heads of international organisations to support the implementation of the AfCFTA agreement through public-private collaboration, and at noon, the Vice President will be represented at a private lunch event entitled “IGWEL: Lunch-Restoring Faith in the Global System” by himself (the Minister of Foreign Affairs).
Tuggar explained that this Informal Gathering of World Economic Leaders (IGWEL) convenes policymakers and business leaders to discuss what an effective multilateral system can look like and how to strengthen faith in global cooperation, adding that equally, the Vice President will host a private country-focused session entitled “Country Strategy Dialogue on Nigeria,” which will delve into the priorities of the Nigerian government and engage in a dialogue about the country’s economic path. He disclosed that the Nigeria Reception is a cultural and entertainment event to be hosted by Vice President Shettima and the ministerial delegation. It will feature Nigerian food, music, national ethos and culture. An estimated 600 participants are expected at the event.
Tuggar further stated that Nigeria’s participation at the Forum’s Annual Meeting provides an opportunity for Vice President Shettima to woo foreign investors to Nigeria. He also expressed optimism that Nigeria’s attendance holds great economic benefits for the country.
The World Economic Forum was established in 1971 as a not-for-profit foundation with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and the Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural, and other leaders of society to shape global, regional, and industry agenda.
Michael Olugbode in Abuja
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