COP 29: Minister charges preparatory committee on effective strategy for excellent participation

KUNLE SANNI

The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, has called on members of a newly inaugurated committee to work diligently in developing Nigeria’s position for the upcoming 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29).

The conference, scheduled to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, will focus on the theme “In Solidarity for a Green World.”

Lawal who was represented by Iziaq Adekunle Salako, the Minister of State for Environment, stated this recently in Abuja while inaugurating the committee for the early preparation of the global event later this year.

The Minister advised the committee to harness expertise and experience to develop an effective strategy for excellent participation at the conference, pririotise inclusivity and equity, and ensure that the solutions to be pursued are just and holistic while advocating for financial mechanism that support for climate adaptation and mitigation.

He also called on the members to bring there resolve and vision to the committee and work together inspired by the belief that a sustainable future is possible and achievable as we execute the approved Term of Reference (ToR) for the assignment. The decision of the committee will resonate through time and enhance national delivery of the conference and it’s commitments to the convention.

The Minister stated that the upcoming COP29 will not only be a platform for negotation but also a crucial opportunity to reaffirm our shared commitment , enhance our ambitions, and build bridges of collaboration across nations, sections and generations.

The Chairman of the Intra-Ministerial Committee and the Minister of State for Environment, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako called on the members to reflect on the outcome of the UNFCCC Dubai, on the main feature and outcome of COP28 including an agreement on the need for finance to respond to loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change.

Salako urged all members drawn from professional departments in the Ministry and Agencies to work as a team to deliver on the objectives of the Committee.

Earlier, in her opening remarks, the Director of climate change who double as the Vice-chairman, Dr. Iniagbon Abiola-Awe reiterated that members should see their nomination as a call for national assignment and that the nation’s successful outing at COP29 will largely depend on the early submission of the committee’s report.

It would be recalled that the last COP27 and COP28 were held in Sham-Alsheikh, Egypt and Dubai, UAE respectively.