By Miriam Humbe
Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal has urged all committee members to work assiduously to develop the Ministry’s position that will translate to the National position of the country at the up-coming 2024 United Nation’s Climate Change Conference (COP29), also called Conference of Parties of the (UNFCCC).
Ibrahim Haruna, the
Head, Press and Public Relations Unit disclosed this in a statement.
The conference, an annual event would be held this year in Baku, Azerbaijan with the theme: “In solidarity for a Green World”.
Represented by Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, the Minister of State for Environment, the Minister, Balarabe Abbas Lawal was speaking in Abuja while inaugurating the committee for the early preparation of the global event later this year.
Balarabe advised the committee to harness expertise and experience to develop an effective strategy for excellent participation at the conference, prioritise 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 their 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 said that the upcoming COP-29 will not only be a platform for negotiation but also a crucial opportunity to reaffirm our shared commitment, enhance our ambitions, and build bridges of collaboration across nations, sections and generations.
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 COP-28 including an agreement on the need for finance to respond to loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change.
Dr. 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.
The Director of climate change who doubled 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 COP-29 will largely depend on the early submission of the committee’s report.
Recall that the last COP-27 and COP-28 were held in Sham-Alsheikh, Egypt and Dubai, UAE respectively.
