President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to lead the country’s delegation to the COP28 Climate Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Departing from Abuja on Wednesday, the president will participate in the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as the Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP28), a crucial platform for global leaders to address climate challenges.
Scheduled from November 30 to December 12, 2023, in Dubai, COP28 aims to identify solutions for limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees.
It serves as an opportunity for nations to enhance their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by 2025, accelerating the green transition in alignment with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
President Tinubu, Nigeria’s 16th president inaugurated in May 2023, will participate in the World Climate Action Summit (WCAS) on December 1 and 2, alongside other heads of state.
Hosted by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, WCAS will focus on critical shifts, including fast-tracking the energy transition, transforming climate finance, prioritizing nature and people in climate action, and ensuring inclusivity in COP proceedings.
Given Nigeria’s vulnerability to climate change, President Tinubu intends to leverage the platform to advocate for increased financial and technical support for developing nations.
The President will emphasize the need for developed countries to fulfill their commitment of providing $100 billion annually for localized initiatives addressing climate change challenges.
Moreover, President Tinubu’s message will hold businesses and institutions accountable, reflecting Nigeria’s commitment to sustainable and responsible practices.
The Nigerian delegation to COP28 aims to establish new bilateral partnerships, particularly in implementing Nigeria’s Energy Transition, Article 6 Projects, Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs), Technology Transfer, Capacity Building, and Methane Mitigation.
President Tinubu, who aims to unite the nation, has pledged to address economic challenges, including debts amounting to approximately $103 billion, inflation, high unemployment, and the country’s heavy reliance on diminishing oil revenues.
Anticipated to deliver Nigeria’s national statement on December 1 at COP28, President Tinubu will highlight the country’s efforts and commitments to combat climate change.
Additionally, he will engage in bilateral meetings with fellow leaders and stakeholders on the summit’s sidelines.
This year’s COP28 marks a historic occasion as it is the first time the conference is held in the Middle East. A detailed daily calendar of events will be made available throughout the conference.