FG seeks united, aggressive climate action at Commonwealth summit

Balarabe Lawal, minister of environment, says there is need for urgent and aggressive measures to combat the impacts of climate change.

Lawal spoke at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) held in Apia, the capital of Samoa, between October 21 and 26.

The theme of this year’s summit was “One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth”.

The minister led the delegation at the meeting after technical flight issues prevented Vice-President Kashim Shettima from representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the event.

Lawal told world leaders that Nigeria has had its share of the devastating impact of climate change through flooding, degraded lands and rising sea levels.

“We need to address the climate challenge very strongly because of its effect on our society; it is a global phenomenon. We have experienced flooding in our country, degraded lands and rising sea levels, among others,“ he said.

“Now is the time to join forces at the level of the Commonwealth to address these issues.“

The minister added that Nigeria’s positions on environment, democracy, security, and other issues were prompted by current global challenges.

Lawal said Nigeria also made its position clear in support of democracy and the protection of civil rights across Commonwealth nations, including the processes for strengthening the system to make it stronger and more vibrant.

He said Nigeria also backed and encouraged ongoing institutional reforms at the Commonwealth, reaffirming its commitment to the organisation’s renewal.