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Assuring to effectively address the issue, the Federal Government, ECOWAS, and other stakeholders have raised concern about the ongoing loss of biodiversity and degradation of ecosystems.
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At the beginning of the ECOWAS Coordination Meeting for the Upcoming 15th Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP-15), held on Monday in Abuja, the Minister of State for the Environment, Mr. Udi Odum, gave a speech.
According to Odum, the ministry decided to call the conference in conjunction with ECOWAS and other important stakeholders to discuss how to best address the concerns.
He stated that the meeting’s goal was to discuss the regional position and the sub-top region’s priority areas for the CBD Post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF)
He stated that “the meeting’s goal is to discuss the next CBD COP 15 in Montreal, Canada.
“As you are aware, efforts to promote global development are in jeopardy due to the ongoing loss of biodiversity and degradation of ecosystems.
“We are all aware that if the SDGs are threatened, agenda 2063 progress would also be jeopardized for us in Africa.
We are all aware of the alarming rate at which the world’s ecosystems and biodiversity are deteriorating, endangering the welfare of humanity and its continued existence.
It is regrettable to notice that the Aichi Biodiversity Target did not achieve the goals outlined in the CBD framework to demonstrate biodiversity loss.
The minister claimed that the development would be hampered by the current unfavorable trends in biodiversity and ecosystems, according to the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are connected to water, cities, health, the climate, oceans, land, and hunger, account for 80% of the gains, according to Odum.
“Nature is being destroyed continuously and more quickly than ever before, and we cannot continue down this path.
This approach might turn the transitional earth from a carbon sink to an emitter, with cascading effects on all ecosystems and the climate.
This approach could turn the transitional earth from a carbon sink to an emitter, with cascading effects on the climate and ecology in all ecosystems.
According to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, which had a negative impact on the world economy, “this route likewise has grave ramifications for humanity,” he stated.
The meeting, according to the minister, was a chance to change things by addressing all of the important topics that would be covered.
In order to prioritize our commitment in the GBF negotiations, Odum said: “I, hereby, call all the ECOWAS family to come together. I encourage you to be bold and decisive in your actions, but never losing sight of our aim.”
Mr. John Daniel, acting director of the ministry’s Department of Forestry, acted as the minister’s representative.
Mr. Bernard Kofi, the department head for the ECOWAS Directorate of Environment, stated that the subregional organization had invested in the promotion of the need to combat climate change.
According to Kofi, the gathering would allow for effective biodiversity negotiation during the COP 15 and facilitate discussion of the required steps to protect the environment.
In order to ensure effective implementation of the GBF, he urged the participants to make an appeal to donors and the international community as well.
However, he urged all concerned parties to band together for greater ambition in order to ensure that the earth was saved and repaired.
“Let’s all focus on restoring biodiversity. Protected areas should be utilized to their full potential and increased to cover 30% of the earth’s surface by 2030.
Everyone, Kofi stated, “has a key part to play in preserving the future of the coming generation for a better planet where the generation can live in harmony with nature.”
The loss of nature and biological diversity and climate change, according to Dr. Joseph Onoja, Director-General of the Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF), are two problems that the countries are currently dealing with.
The NCF was dedicated to guaranteeing successful collaboration, Onoja said, adding that “the issues were two sides of the same coin.”
Ms. Joy Anangwe, Manager of Policy and Partnerships at the African Wildlife Foundation, stated that the organization was prepared to play a significant role in establishing the ECOWAS conservation agenda.
