Tinubu flies to France tomorrow for what will be his first international summit since assuming office

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu will be flying to France tomorrow to attend the New Global Financial Pact summit in Paris in what will be his first appearance at an international gathering since becoming Nigeria' leader on May 29.

Since being sworn-in on May 29, President Tinubu has been preoccupied with domestic affairs, making key appointments and addressing matters like the removal of petroleum subsidy. He has now, however, been invited to join world leaders in Paris to review and sign a New Global Financial Pact.

This new agreement will place vulnerable countries on the priority list for support and investment following the devastating impact of climate change, a global energy crisis and the after-effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. President Tinubu will participate in the two-day Summit taking place on June 22 and 23 that looks at opportunities to restore fiscal space to countries that face difficult short-term financial challenges.

According to presidential spokesman Dele Alake, the summit will look at the plight of the most indebted nations and will mobilise innovative financing for countries vulnerable to climate change. It will also foster development in low-income countries and encourage investment in green infrastructure for the energy transition in emerging and developing economies.

President Tinubu and the other global leaders, multilateral institutions, financial experts and economists will also take a more holistic look at the recovery of economies from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. They will also examine rising cases of poverty, with a view to providing access to finance and investment that will leverage inclusive growth.

This summit, which will be hosted by President Emmanuel Macron of France, will be held at Palais Brongniart. On the trip, President Tinubu will be accompanied by members of the Presidential Policy Advisory Council and senior government officials but as he has not appointed new ministers yet, he will not be accompanied by a foreign minister.