Nigeria recognizes the central role that the Security Council plays in the preservation of international peace and security. Through sustained participation in UN peacekeeping operations, regional peacekeeping initiatives and the mainstreaming of UN resolutions and decisions into national policy implementation, Nigeria continues to contribute decisively to the attainment of the principles and purposes of the UN Charter.

With valuable experience garnered from credible past participation in the Council (1966-67, 1978-79 and 1994-95) in the non-permanent category, Nigeria is poised for a two-year tenure 2010-2011. Our obligation is to project the qualities of leadership, and pursue team work and partnership, as well as commit to the shared ideals of the UN. Nigeria remains firmly supportive of the Security Council’s role and initiatives on conflict situations in Africa and in other parts of the world.

In the Council, Nigeria would effectively pursue positions that would strengthen the UN, and enhance interaction among Member-States. Nigeria would also avail the UN of its rich experience on issues of:

• Counter-terrorism
• Small arms and light weapons
• Children in Armed conflict
• Women, Peace and Security
• Drug Trafficking
• Climate Change
• Rule of Law
• Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict
• Responsibility to Protect
• Post conflict Peace-building
• UN Peacekeeping Operations Financing