Nigeria aims to host the COP32 climate summit in Lagos in 2027, highlighted by government officials during a visit from UN climate chief Simon Stiell. Nkiruka Maduekwe and Tokunbo Wahab emphasized Lagos’s readiness and Nigeria’s leadership in climate action. The decision regarding the host will be made at COP30 in Brazil this November.
Nigeria has officially expressed its desire to host the COP32 United Nations climate summit in Lagos in 2027, as announced by government representatives during a visit from Simon Stiell, chief of the UN’s climate change arm. Nkiruka Maduekwe, head of Nigeria’s climate change council, emphasized the city’s capability to host the event and asserted that Nigeria has demonstrated leadership in climate action, making it time to lead a COP summit.
Lagos state’s environment commissioner, Tokunbo Wahab, reaffirmed the city’s preparedness to host the summit, questioning why Nigeria could not host similar to Azerbaijan’s experience in Baku. The Nigerian environment ministry stated that holding the summit would enhance the nation’s visibility in climate leadership and present economic opportunities for the country, adding it would aid in advancing climate initiatives.
The decision of which African nation will host COP32 will be jointly made by African countries at COP30 in Brazil this November, coinciding with the consensus approval needed from all participating nations. Nigeria was the first to officially declare its interest in hosting, a move Stiell acknowledged and welcomed, highlighting that there would be a competitive bidding process among nations.
COP summits serve as gatherings for 198 governments, under the UNFCCC, to negotiate climate agreements. The hosting rights rotate among the UN’s five geographic blocks, with Africa set to host COP32, five years after Egypt hosted COP27 in 2022. Notably, Nigeria has established a legal framework aiming for net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2060, representing a progressive stance among African nations.
Despite being the largest oil producer in Africa, heavily reliant on oil revenue, Nigeria is committed to transitioning away from fossil fuels as demonstrated in agreements made at COP28 in 2023. Nigeria, alongside other African nations, has urged developed countries to increase climate financing to support developing nations in addressing climate issues. President Bola Tinubu has voiced that without adequate support from developed nations, compliance with climate commitments would not be feasible.
Nigeria’s formal bid to host COP32 in Lagos underscores its ambition to enhance its status in global climate leadership. With its legal commitment to net zero emissions and vocal advocacy for increased climate finance from developed nations, Nigeria positions itself prominently within the climate dialogue. The decision by African nations at COP30 will be pivotal in determining the host of the summit, with Nigeria being the first to announce its interest.
Original Source: www.climatechangenews.com
