As the country continues to rise from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Government and development partners have began to mobilize activities under the eighth funding replenishment of the Global Environment Facility (GEF-8) that will enable stakeholders address major drivers of environmental degradations in the country.
GEF is the largest and most experienced multilateral fund dedicated to addressing environmental threats to the planet. It supports developing countries to prioritize environmental action that delivers global environmental benefits. Implementing agencies are Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).
As part of the programme, a two-day 12th GEF Steering Committee Meeting was organized in Abuja last week by the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with FAO to sensitize participants on the new facility.
In his keynote address, Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi, who called for integrated approach to address environmental challenges, said the meeting is of strategic importance in view of the post-COVID-19 emerging issues and the coincidence of the new GEF cycle with a new programming direction for which there will be need for stakeholders to get properly informed and be in tune with the GEF standard and operation.
Represented by the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics/GEF Operational Focal Point, Mallam Jonah Stanley, the minister said the programme would also engender global environment rehabilitation and sustainability. “It is incumbent on the recipient countries to take advantage of this seed grants, mobilize the citizens without leaving anyone behind in efforts towards ensuring that emerging environmental adversities are restrained, the long-term degradations are reversed and expected ones are forestalled,” he said.
Abdullahi implored experts and professionals to use the forum to start a new level of synergy that will see the government, implementing agencies, the Community Based Organisations (CBOs), opinion leaders and communities to take collective and individual climate actions towards the environment.
His words: “We must see ourselves as agents of the renaissance we want. We must act now as we think globally, while acting locally. Your ingenious thoughts, and creative minds will go a long way during this meeting in shaping our collective resolve to better the environment for us and our communities.”
FAO Representative in Nigeria, Mr. Fred Kafeero, represented by Climate Change Specialist, Ms. Nifesimi Ogunkua, said FAO supports countries worldwide in addressing the complex challenges at the nexus between the environment, agriculture, forestry, marine and freshwater resources.
According to him, FAO in Nigeria has been supporting the government in convening diverse stakeholders, facilitating partnerships and mobilizing resources for the government of Nigeria in designing and delivering projects that achieve sustainable, scalable results in the GEF-8 focal areas and integrated programmes.
