Shettima: You cannot divorce yourself from global community

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to the World Trade Organisation and the multilateral trading system, with Vice President Kashim Shettima declaring that countries cannot achieve sustainable prosperity by isolating themselves from the global community.

Shettima stated Nigeria’s position on Saturday during a meeting with the Director-General of the WTO, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on the sidelines of the ongoing BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, India.

The Vice President said Nigeria would continue to support the WTO in strengthening multilateralism and promoting a global trading system anchored on cooperation rather than isolation.

He argued that the increasing interconnectedness of nations made international cooperation essential to economic development and global prosperity.

“I believe the world is greater than one nation. We will continue to support the WTO in championing the cause of multilateralism,” Shettima said.

The Vice President added that nations were part of an interconnected global community whose economic fortunes could not be completely separated from one another.

“We are essentially one human family and interconnected. You cannot divorce yourself from the global community,” he said.

Shettima’s remarks came amid his participation in the BRICS Leaders’ Summit, where Nigeria is engaging with major emerging economies and other participating countries on issues relating to global economic cooperation.

His meeting with the WTO director-general further highlighted Nigeria’s emphasis on multilateral engagement as part of its approach to international trade and economic relations.

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