Vice President Shettima represents President Tinubu at COP30 — Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Brazil, where he will represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 30th session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30).
The summit, hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, is scheduled to take place from November 6 to 7 in Belém, the capital of Pará State, located in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon rainforest.
A statement released by the Office of the Vice President confirmed that Shettima is leading Nigeria’s delegation to the global climate summit, which brings together world leaders, environmental experts, and international organizations to discuss collective actions toward addressing the escalating threats of climate change.
According to the statement, President Tinubu personally designated Vice President Shettima to represent him, underscoring Nigeria’s commitment to international cooperation in tackling global environmental challenges and advancing sustainable development goals.
“The Vice President will be participating on behalf of the President in high-level discussions with global leaders on climate resilience, renewable energy, and sustainable economic transitions,” the statement read.
The COP30 summit is expected to serve as a major platform for nations to review progress under the Paris Agreement and renew commitments toward achieving net-zero emissions. The event will also focus on climate financing, deforestation control, and renewable energy innovations, particularly in developing economies.
Vice President Shettima, who has been a strong advocate for sustainable growth and green innovation, is expected to highlight Nigeria’s recent initiatives on climate adaptation, renewable energy investment, and environmental policy reforms.
Sources from the Presidency told LeadNaija News that Shettima will also engage with leaders of other developing nations to strengthen partnerships aimed at ensuring Africa benefits equitably from global climate funding mechanisms.
“Nigeria will use COP30 to restate its call for fair climate financing and support for developing economies that are disproportionately affected by environmental degradation,” the source noted.
The Brazilian President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in collaboration with international partners, is organizing the conference to spotlight the Amazon region, which remains one of the world’s most crucial ecosystems for global climate stability.
COP30, which precedes the COP31 expected to be hosted in Azerbaijan, is projected to attract participation from over 190 countries, including top representatives of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), global environmental organizations, and civil society groups.
Nigeria’s participation is expected to focus on climate-smart agriculture, green energy transition, forest conservation, and climate adaptation financing, areas identified as key pillars of the nation’s environmental strategy under President Tinubu’s administration.
Experts believe that Vice President Shettima’s representation at the summit reflects President Tinubu’s increasing emphasis on environmental diplomacy and Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa’s climate agenda.
Dr. Ifeoma Okechukwu, an environmental policy analyst, told LeadNaija News that Nigeria’s presence at COP30 “signals the country’s readiness to be a major player in global climate discourse.”
“Vice President Shettima’s attendance ensures that Nigeria’s voice is heard at the highest level, especially as global leaders deliberate on renewable energy investments and carbon market mechanisms,” she said.
In previous engagements, Vice President Shettima has emphasized that climate change poses not only an environmental threat but also a developmental and security challenge, particularly in regions facing desertification and flooding.
He is expected to reiterate Nigeria’s pledge to reduce carbon emissions by 47% by 2030 under conditional international support, and to accelerate energy transition through solar power and biofuel projects.
The Nigerian delegation will also seek strategic partnerships with Brazil and other Latin American countries on sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation, aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu’s administration.
Vice President Shettima is scheduled to return to Abuja immediately after the conclusion of the two-day conference.
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