Simon Stiell, the UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, will visit Nigeria for four days, engaging with government officials, business leaders, and civil society to discuss the benefits of a robust climate plan. He will attend a symposium focused on climate change and deliver a speech on Nigeria’s new climate initiatives aimed at economic growth and poverty alleviation. The visit underscores the importance of environmental protection and resilience in combating climate challenges.
The UNFCCC Executive Secretary, Mr. Simon Stiell, is set to visit Nigeria for a four-day engagement with various stakeholders, including government officials, business leaders, and civil societies, to promote the potential benefits of a well-crafted climate plan. His trip will commence in Abuja from March 4 to March 5, where he will hold discussions with key government figures and civil society representatives.
On March 6, Mr. Stiell will participate in a symposium titled “Intersecting Worlds of Climate Change, Mangrove, and Art,” organized by Nigeria’s National Council on Climate Change Secretariat. The event will take place at the Lekki Conservation Centre in Lagos. At approximately 10:05 AM (WAT), he will deliver a speech emphasizing how a new national climate plan, also referred to as Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), could foster economic growth and mitigate poverty while ensuring inclusive energy access.
Mr. Stiell will emphasize the importance of bold climate initiatives in enhancing Nigeria’s economic sectors, stating that active measures can lead to significant benefits for households and businesses. In addition, he will address how environmental protection can enhance the nation’s resilience against the impacts of climate change, safeguarding lives and livelihoods. The Executive Secretary will discuss various strategies, including the preservation of mangrove forests and the implementation of the Great Green Wall initiative, to adapt to climatic challenges affecting Nigeria’s environment, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Beyond the symposium, Mr. Stiell is scheduled to engage in a panel discussion with business leaders on March 6 and will meet with civil society representatives on March 7. The UNFCCC, which comprises 198 parties, supports global efforts to combat climate change as established in the 2015 Paris Agreement, aiming to maintain temperature increases well below 2 degrees Celsius this century.
The ultimate objective of all agreements under the UNFCCC involves stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations to avert severe disruptions to climate systems, allowing ecosystems to adjust naturally and fostering sustainable development.
The visit of UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell to Nigeria underscores the significance of strong climate action in unlocking economic opportunities and combating climate change impacts. Through engagements with key stakeholders, he aims to articulate the benefits of Nigeria’s new climate plan, emphasizing resilience and environmental protection as vital components for sustainable development.
Original Source: www.thisdaylive.com
