New York, Sept. 20, 2025 — Nigeria joined 144 other United Nations member states on Saturday in supporting a resolution that allows Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to address the UN General Assembly via a pre-recorded video message after the United States denied visas to his delegation.
The measure passed with 145 votes in favor, five against, and six abstentions. Opposing votes came from the United States, Israel, Nauru, Palau, and Paraguay, while countries including Albania, Fiji, Hungary, North Macedonia, Panama, and Papua New Guinea abstained.
Under the resolution, Abbas’s speech will be introduced by a Palestinian representative based in New York. He and other Palestinian officials will also be permitted to deliver remarks virtually during the ongoing 80th UN session, including at high-level meetings on the two-State solution.
Nigeria’s Position
Nigeria’s UN envoy said the country backed the resolution to ensure Palestine’s participation in “critical deliberations on peace and the two-State solution.”
“The ability to participate, even virtually, reflects the UN’s commitment to inclusive dialogue and multilateralism,” the envoy stated.
Wider Context
The U.S. Department of State announced on August 29 that it would not issue visas for Abbas’s delegation, citing national security concerns and accusing the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and Palestinian Authority (PA) of undermining peace prospects in the past.
A Palestinian representative at the UN welcomed the resolution, calling it “a reaffirmation that political dialogue and participation cannot be curtailed by unilateral restrictions.”
Separately, the Assembly also adopted — without a vote — a Saudi-sponsored measure allowing Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to deliver a video message at a high-level conference on September 22.
Key Takeaway
The decision underscores strong global support for Palestine’s right to participate in UN debates despite U.S. opposition. For Nigeria, it signals continued alignment with multilateralism and inclusive diplomacy, especially on sensitive issues such as Middle East peace.
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