Katsina State Governor and Chairman of the Northwest Governors’ Forum, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has unveiled the Northwest Peace, Security and Development Framework 2026–2030 at a high-level side event on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
The framework provides a coordinated regional strategy for addressing insecurity, promoting peace and stability, strengthening cooperation among the seven Northwest states and attracting international partnerships and investment to the region.
Presenting the framework, Radda stressed the need for a collective approach to tackling the security challenges confronting the Northwest, noting that no single state could effectively address the complex threats facing the region in isolation.
He identified enhanced collaboration among the states, intelligence sharing, coordinated security efforts and sustained investment in development as key pillars of the initiative.
The UNDP-supported framework also places emphasis on creating economic opportunities for young people, strengthening livelihoods and building partnerships capable of driving sustainable development across the region.
The governor said the framework was designed to move beyond policy declarations by establishing a practical pathway through which the Northwest could mobilise resources, deepen regional cooperation and deliver measurable improvements in the lives of residents.
The presentation at the UNGA side event provided an opportunity to engage international development partners and other stakeholders on the region’s priorities, with particular focus on peace, security, economic development and youth empowerment.
The next phase of the initiative will focus on translating the framework into concrete partnerships, financing commitments and implementable programmes capable of producing measurable results across the seven Northwest states.