The Federal Government unveiled the COP27 National Logo and outlined its key goals for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change on Friday (UNFCCC).
In Abuja, the Minister of Environment, Mr. Mohammed Abdullahi, unveiled the Logo while addressing reporters about the Conference of Parties’ 27th session preparations (COP27).
According to Abdullahi, the conference will take place from November 6–18, 2022, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. He also stated that Nigeria, as a signatory, is anticipated to fully participate.
According to him, the launch of the logo showed congruence with the principles and goals of COP27 while also clearly displaying national priorities as a nation.
According to him, the COP27 was a unique chance for participants and observers to come together and discuss a problem that is affecting humanity.
He claimed that another purpose of the meeting is to demonstrate cooperation in the face of an existential threat that can only be defeated by coordinated efforts and successful implementation.
The minister stated that the establishment of a National Pavilion at the COP27 location is among Nigeria’s top priorities and expectations from the conference.
According to him, the pavilion would be the hub for the Nigerian delegation’s conference-related activities, including holding bilateral meetings.
Additionally, he claimed that it would give Nigerians a venue for networking with possible investors and other similar prospects.
He says that the Nigeria pavilion is being set up so that interested parties can hold side events there.
“The side events to be hosted in the pavilion will relate to showcasing Nigeria’s best practices and exchanges with international communities.
“The side events will also engage in dialogues and green investment forums toward tackling climate change and moving Nigeria to a low-carbon development pathway.
“Nigeria will participate in a world leader-level summit with other nations to co-launch the ‘Forest and Climate Leaders Partnership’’.
According to Abdullahi, the UK government is supporting the leaders’ collaboration through Alok Sharma, the COP26 President.
He announced that Nigeria would host a high-level side conference under the framework of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
He said that the gathering serves as a follow-up to President Muhammadu Buhari’s remarks at the UNCCD (COP15) conference in Abidjan in May 2022.
In addition to focusing on climate finance to address desertification, desert encroachment, and drought that are devastating member states, he said the meeting would also “exploit the funding window under the auspices of the Great Green Wall Accelerator, where European countries pledged about 18 billion euros to support member states’ activities.”
“Nigeria will continue to push for a softening of conditions as it relates to access and draw-down from the fund to make it accessible to member states,’’ he said.
According to Abdullahi, examining potential sources of climate finance and forming alliances to support ambitious goals for emissions reduction, adaptation, and climate change mitigation will also be a top priority.
He claims that the emphasis will be on sustainable finance mechanisms that support environmentally friendly solutions including land restoration, reforestation, battling desertification, climate savvy agriculture practises, and adaptation techniques.
Nigeria, he said, would look for cooperation and help in the areas of providing clean and renewable energy, financing for loss and damage, and sustainable waste management.
Nigeria, he continued, will exert pressure on rich nations to make good on financial commitments made to help address the climate catastrophe.
“The expected outcomes of Nigeria’s participation will include increased partnership building that help Nigeria achieve its emission reduction targets.
“They will address adaptation and mitigation, establish sustainable financing for climate actions, resilience building, poverty eradication, energy transition and sustainable development.
“Nigeria, will not take a position of ‘know it all’ but will align with the West Africa region’s identification of the thematic issues faced by the continent and the group’s interim position on each.
The issues, according to Abdullahi, include doubling adaptation funds by 2025, clarifying support mechanisms for addressing loss and damage, bridging the climate financing gap, and scaling up Africa’s mitigation ambition and implementation.
He added; “strengthening the linkage between technology and financial mechanisms; the global stocktake on progress on the Paris Agreement; transparency; gender and climate change; agriculture.”
The minister announced that the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management would hold a side meeting to highlight the impact of climate change on the migration and livelihoods of conflict-affected people, including those who have lost their agrarian habitat in the Lake Chad region and the arid landscape of northern Nigeria, as well as those affected by coastal flooding and erosion in the south of the country.
The accreditation of Nigerian delegates to the event has also been completed, according to him.
According to him, delegates include Inter-Ministerial Committee on Climate Change (ICCC) representatives, high-level representation from the Presidency and National Assembly, non-governmental groups, ministries, scientists, academia, experts, Civil Society Organisations, private sector entities, women, youths, and the media.
