French President Emmanuel Macron has departed Paris for New York to attend the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, as Bola Tinubu remains in France while on annual leave.
Macron’s departure comes as world leaders converge on New York for the high-level week of the 81st UN General Assembly, which opens on Tuesday, September 22.
While Macron heads to the United States for the global gathering, Tinubu will not personally attend this year’s UNGA. Instead, he has directed Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the assembly.
Shettima has already arrived in New York and is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement during the General Debate, alongside participating in high-level meetings and bilateral engagements.
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim, said Tinubu’s absence should not be interpreted as inadequate representation, noting that Shettima and other senior officials would fully represent the country at the gathering.
Tinubu’s decision not to attend the 81st UNGA marks the third consecutive year in which Shettima will represent him at the General Debate, after doing so in 2024 and 2025. Tinubu personally addressed the 78th UNGA in 2023.
