Senator Ibrahim rejects global tax proposal, urges climate compensation to fund SDGs

Senator Ibrahim, representing Ondo South Senatorial District, has rejected the proposal for a global tax to fund the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), calling it inappropriate and unacceptable.

Speaking at the United Nations Inter-Parliamentary opening session in New York yesterday, Ibrahim criticized the global tax idea, arguing that the international system is anarchic and lacks the authority to enforce such measures.

“There is no comprehensive international system in place,” Ibrahim stated, emphasizing that global taxes would exacerbate inequality, increase poverty, and undermine the UN’s efforts to eradicate poverty by 2030.

As an alternative, Ibrahim proposed that environmental polluters should compensate Africa to help alleviate its debt burden and finance its SDG efforts.

“It is time for African legislators to act decisively and compel the rest of the world to pay compensation for climate impacts so that we can finance our SDGs,” he urged.

The senator also identified several key issues hindering SDG progress, including the exclusion of invested stakeholders, a lack of transparency, a deficit of trust, and the failure of multilateralism.

He noted that support from non-state actors remains insufficient, further complicating the achievement of the SDGs.

With 2030 rapidly approaching, Ibrahim stressed the urgent need for a review of global efforts toward the primary SDG goal of poverty eradication.

In his speech, Ibrahim praised President Tinubu for prioritizing the SDGs in his recent budget proposal, presented at the United Nations.

He called on the UN to reflect inward and act swiftly to ensure the success of the SDGs before the looming 2030 deadline.