By Miriam Humbe
Minister of State for the Environment, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako has emphasized the need to continue to place the highest premium on the health and sustainability of the environment.
The Minister said this on Wednesday at the 17th National Council on Environment in Abuja.
Humsimedia gathered that the 17th National Council on Environment is the highest policy making body for the environment sector in Nigeria.
The Minister said that: “Our past, present and future as human race and that of other creatures on planet earth is profoundly shaped by the quality of our environment.”
This year’s meeting was themed: “Environment Financing: The Need to mobilize more financial inflows for generating adequate resources in support of environmental sustainability efforts”.
He advocated for nature based solutions to the challenges facing the environment.
Salako said: “As we evaluate and consider these technologies, let us not loose touch with nature based solutions that offers us natural advantages and possess a higher potential to reduce capital flight and improve the livelihoods of our people.”
The Minister assured that the Federal Ministry of Environment was well prepared to take leadership as concerns the environment and has been implementing innovative financing mechanisms like the issuance of the Nigeria Sovereign Green Bond to drive private sector funding into the system.
Salako invited State governments to come on board and examine the opportunities for climate financing through the issuance of their own green bonds.
He therefore thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his determined focus to promote environmental sustainability and climate action as a top priority of his government.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ (FAO Representative in Nigeria and ECOWAS),
Mr.Koffy Kouacou Dominqueto, represented by Tofiq Braimoh, Officer in Charge said the environment is under increasing pressure from Climate Change, deforestation, pollution, and other threats that require urgent attention and collaborative action.
He said: This underscores the fundamental importance of finance to achieving Climate and environmental actions.”
“As you all know, once appropriate conditions are in place, it becomes easier to investments opportunities that can contribute to emission reductions and conservation effusion.
“Progress has been made but more actions need to be taken in institutionalizing transformational planning, prom multisectoral integrated programming and investments (including leveraging the support of the private sector) and ensuring policy coherence in addressing the drivers of our environmental challenges”.
The FAQ Representative said that his organisation was committed to supporting Government at all levels to enhance sustainable natural resources management, and this includes support to implement, monitor and report Climate commutinents outlined in the National Determined Contribution docutient, continuous support to accessing climate finance and partnership and technical support to mainstreaming agrifood systems to the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPS), among others.
He commended the efforts of the National Council on Environment in addressing key environmental nues and developing policies to safeguard the nation’s natural heritage.
He said: “Your dedication and expertise are invaluable in shaping the future of environmental governance in Nigeria and ensuring a sustainable path forward.”
