U.S.-Nigeria Binational Commission Niger Delta and Security Cooperation Working Group Meeting on September 13-14
On September 13, the U.S.-Nigeria Binational Commission will convene for its third full working group meeting in Washington, hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations. The two days of talks that will focus on the Niger Delta and Nigeria’s role in regional security. The U.S. delegation will be led by Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Johnnie Carson, and the Nigerian delegation will be led by Foreign Minister Henry Odein Ajumogobia.
The first day will focus on the Niger Delta, with discussions centered on progress towards addressing economic and infrastructure development, social service delivery, and state governance issues. Talks on the second day will focus on Nigeria’s regional security role and bilateral cooperation in the region.
On April 6, 2010, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Nigerian Secretary to the Government of the Federation Yayale Ahmed inaugurated the U.S.–Nigeria Binational Commission, a strategic dialogue designed to expand mutual cooperation across a broad range of shared interests. The Commission is a collaborative forum to fortify partnerships between the United States and Nigeria. Four working groups have been formed: Good Governance, Transparency and Integrity; Energy and Investment; the Niger Delta and Regional Security Cooperation; and Food Security and Agriculture.
Open press events are:
Monday, September 13
Plenary session, 9:00-9:30: Niger Delta
Opening remarks by Assistant Secretary Carson and Foreign Minister Ajumogobia
Tuesday, September 14
Plenary session, 9:00-9:30: Regional Security Cooperation
Opening remarks by Assistant Secretary Carson and Foreign Minister Ajumogobia
Communiqué signing, 3:15-3:30
Remarks by Assistant Secretary Carson and Foreign Minister Ajumogobia
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
September 10, 2010