President Muhammadu Buhari has travelled to Glasgow, Scotland to attend the 26th Conference of Parties (COP26) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
This is coming barely a day after the president returned from Saudi Arabia, where he took part in an investment conference and performed lesser hajj in Madina and Makka.
This disclosure is contained in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, who said that the President is scheduled to deliver his statement at the High-Level segment for Heads of State and Government at the conference on November 2.
The statement from Garba Shehu reads, “President Buhari’s address is expected to highlight Nigeria’s key priorities and action to tackle climate change as well as progress on the country’s transition to low carbon economy, consistent with achieving the Paris Climate Agreement.’’
Shehu revealed that the conference, hosted by the United Kingdom in partnership with Italy, would bring parties together to help accelerate action towards the Paris Agreement as well as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
He said, “Given Nigeria’s leading role in taking climate action and as a signatory to the Paris Agreement, COP 26 will afford a unique opportunity for the Nigerian delegation to work with other parties to make progress on the main goals of the conference.
“These include securing global net zero by mid-century and keeping 1.5C within reach, adapting to protect communities and natural habitats as well as mobilising the much-needed finances to meet the set targets.’’
Shehu also said that Buhari will participate in some side-line events hosted by US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron, while in Glasgow.
He said the president would be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of State, Environment, Sharon Ikeazor, National Security Adviser, retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno and Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.
The statement from the presidential aide also added that the Nigerian leader will thereafter travel to Paris, France, on an official visit to reciprocate an earlier one to Nigeria by the French President, Emmanuel Macron, and also attend the Paris Peace forum 2021.
He said, “It will have Heads of State and Government and CEOs of major multinationals as well as several civil society actors, gathering to advance concrete solutions to the enormous challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and to improve global governance in times of COVID-19.
“The Summit will focus on spurring a more solid and inclusive recovery by addressing the various gaps in global governance, offering initiatives to better tend to the global commons and putting forward new principles of action for the post-COVID world.’’
Shehu revealed that the Nigerian government would organise the Nigeria-Paris Forum while in Paris with the event expected to pull a crowd of Nigerian and French investors, government and business leaders, diplomats and the media in the hope of showcasing opportunities on both sides.
Recall that on Monday, October 24, 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari departed Abuja for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to participate in the investment conference organized by the Future Investment Initiative Institute.
Buhari was joined at the 5th edition of the flagship investment event by business executives from Nigeria, bankers, Captains of industry and energy experts to discuss issues on the future of investments across the globe.
