By Abbas Nazil
Nigeria has pledged to work with Australia, Indonesia, Mexico, South Korea and Türkiye to strengthen access to climate finance for developing countries ahead of the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31).
Omotenioye Majekodunmi, director-general of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), announced Nigeria’s commitment during a COP31 side event organised by members of the MIKTA group at the Turkish embassy in Abuja.
The meeting focused on climate financing, implementation challenges and opportunities for international cooperation, with participants calling for improved funding mechanisms to support vulnerable countries facing climate change impacts.
Majekodunmi said Nigeria was aligned with COP31’s emphasis on closing the gap between climate commitments and implementation, stressing the importance of adaptation finance, climate action and an inclusive and just transition.
Represented by Jummai Vandu of the NCCC’s Department of Energy, the director-general said Nigeria was seeking to use international partnerships to transform its climate vulnerabilities into green economic opportunities.
He added that the country was ready to collaborate with MIKTA, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and other partners to translate global climate commitments into practical outcomes.
Australia’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Leilani Bin-Juda, said her country would prioritise implementing the Paris Agreement and delivering tangible results at COP31.
She stressed that climate change was already affecting communities and economies, adding that Australia considered improved access to climate finance essential for developing countries, particularly the most vulnerable.
Bin-Juda also sought Nigeria’s support for a MIKTA initiative aimed at improving access to climate finance for small island developing states and least developed countries.
She said Nigeria’s backing would demonstrate solidarity with African least developed countries and strengthen calls for a climate finance system that is simpler, more responsive and more accessible.
Indonesia’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Bambang Suharto, expressed hope that COP31 would help bridge the gap between climate ambitions and implementation.
He said Indonesia wanted progress on existing climate finance commitments, greater support for preparing investment-ready projects and increased funding for initiatives that protect aquatic ecosystems.
Suharto also proposed consultations with Nigeria, interested MIKTA partners and relevant institutions on a possible Indonesia-Nigeria climate finance and resilience partnership.
He said the proposed partnership could explore grants, concessional loans, guarantees and blended finance, depending on the needs of individual projects.
Indonesia would also be willing to share its experience in sustainable finance, thematic bonds, energy-transition financing and ocean-related projects to strengthen cooperation among developing countries.
Türkiye’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, said Africa must remain central to international efforts to improve access to climate finance.
He noted that African countries had consistently identified adaptation, loss and damage, sustainable development and access to climate funding as major priorities during consultations ahead of COP31.
Poroy urged MIKTA members to maintain momentum beyond COP31 and continue their cooperation towards COP32, which Ethiopia is scheduled to host in 2027.
Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Legesse Haile, said the next conference would provide an opportunity to place developing countries’ priorities, Africa’s development needs, just energy transitions and the delivery of loss-and-damage support at the centre of global climate discussions.
Other representatives also highlighted specific areas for action, with South Korea’s ambassador, Jeong Yo-an, pointing to efforts to tackle plastic pollution, while Mexico’s chargé d’affaires, José Manuel Briseño Flores, called for climate resources to support renewable energy projects.
The discussions underscored the importance of ensuring that climate finance reaches countries and communities that need it most, while supporting practical projects that strengthen resilience and sustainable development.
Nigeria’s commitment to work with MIKTA comes as international climate negotiations continue to focus on turning financial pledges into accessible funding and measurable action, particularly for developing countries facing significant climate risks.
