Nigeria has called for collaboration to safe the planet from threat of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
The call was made on Thursday, 23 November, 2023 by the Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako at the the Meeting of Technical Experts of the 9th Session of the Pan African Agency for the Great Green Wall (PAGGW) in Abuja.
He said: “In the realm of technology and expertise, we find ourselves at the crossroads of higher possibilities and greater responsibilities. Our world is evolving at an unprecedented pace with the major crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution threatening man’s continous existence on planet earth. It is through fora such as this that we can harness the power of collaboration to navigate theese challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead.”
He added that: “This meeting is a testament to our commitment to fostering an environment where ideas can flourish, and knowledge can be shared without boundaries. The diversity of expertise present in this room is a reflection of the interconnected nature of our global community. In our pursuit of technical excellence, we must recognize that our collective strength lies in our ability to learn from one another, to draw inspiration from diverse perspectives, and to work collaboratively towards common goals.”
He charged participants that: “As we embark on the deliberations of this 9th session, let us keep in mind the profound impact that our decisions and innovations can have on our different countries, on Africa as a continent and the world in general. The solutions we seek, the advancements we make, and the policies we formulate should all be rooted in a shared vision of a better and more sustainable future.
“I encourage each participant to engage wholeheartedly in the discussions, to challenge assumptions, and to contribute boldly to the dialogue. It is through the crucible of collaborative thought that breakthroughs emerge, and it is in the crucible of shared knowledge that progress is forged.
“As experts in the fields of Forestry, land restoration, conservation and allied specialities, the council of ministers of the Pan Africa Agency of the Great Green Wall will be relying heavily on your expert recommendations to guide their decisions.
“Let us therefore ensure that such recommendations are evidence based, they are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time bound.
“In our pursuit of technical excellence, we must recognize that our collective strength lies in our ability to learn from one another, to draw inspiration from diverse perspectives, and to work collaboratively towards common goals.”
The Executive Secretary of the Pan-African Agency of the Great Green Wall (PAGGW), Ibrahim Sa’id on his part said finance has become a major challenge in fighting the threat of climate change in Africa.
He said: “It is also thanks to the consideration and commitment of our countries in financing the activities. With the effects of climate change, the task is becoming increasingly difficult, requiring much greater resources. So mobilising resources remains a constant challenge. Added to this are the real difficulties posed by the lack of security in some of our countries and regions.”
He added that: “We sincerely hope that this situation will soon be resolved to the benefit of our populations and peoples, who have already suffered enough from the harmful effects of climate change, land degradation and the erosion of biodiversity.”
Director General/CEO, National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW), Dr. Yusuf Maina Bukar, said: “The commitment to addressing the impact of emerging climate change risks within and near the Great Green Wall corridor implies that efforts must be geared towards effective implementation of the GGWI at regional and national levels.”
He said: “I am very optimistic that the submission of the technical report of the Technical Committee of Experts that shall emerge from our deliberations today shall guide the discussion of the Council of Ministers accordingly.”
