Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed from Abuja to attend the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference in Belem, Brazil, representing President Bola Tinubu. The summit, set to commence on November 6, is being hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and aims to address critical issues surrounding climate action and implementation.
The two-day conference will focus on key topics such as adaptation, forest protection, biodiversity, and climate justice. During the first day, Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s climate action address at the leaders’ general plenary session. He will also participate in the launch of the Tropical Forest Forever Fund and a roundtable discussion on Climate and Nature, chaired by President Lula.
On the second day, the Vice President will engage in additional roundtable discussions focusing on energy transition and the review of the Paris Agreement, specifically regarding countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions and the global climate finance framework.
In addition to the summit activities, Shettima plans to hold bilateral meetings aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s involvement in global carbon markets. These discussions are projected to potentially unlock $2.5 billion to $3 billion annually in carbon finance over the next decade, which would help Nigeria meet its emission reduction targets.
Following the summit, Shettima will visit Brasília for a diplomatic meeting with Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin. This visit is seen as a continuation of the collaboration established during Alckmin’s visit to Nigeria in June, which resulted in the signing of several memoranda of understanding in key sectors including defense, agriculture, and energy.
Shettima is expected to return to Nigeria after completing his engagements in Brazil, furthering the country’s commitment to international climate efforts and strengthening ties with Brazil.
