The Nigerian government has issued a clarion call for prompt action to safeguard the vital ecosystems and mitigate the human-induced extinction of wildlife species in the West African subregion.
Dr. Iziaq Salako, the Minister of State for Environment, emphasized the urgent necessity to reshape the biodiversity landscape of West Africa to counteract the escalating challenge posed by the growing population of climate migrants and environmentally displaced persons in the subregion.
Addressing attendees at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) coordination meeting in Abuja, Salako stressed, “It is evident that there exists a disparity in the impact of biodiversity and climate crises among nations. In West Africa, a dearth of solutions implies that our communities may face heightened impoverishment, compromised food security, and forced displacement, as witnessed in several of our nations. The surge in the population of climate migrants and environmentally displaced individuals within our subregion underscores this reality.”
He tasked stakeholders present at the meeting with a pivotal responsibility to devise a comprehensive regional 30 by 30 implementation plan aimed at ensuring the effective protection of at least 30% of the ECOWAS region, thereby safeguarding our life-sustaining ecosystems and promptly halting the human-induced extinction of wildlife species.
Salako highlighted, “The ECOWAS region stands alone in its commitment to mitigating biodiversity loss on a regional scale, serving as a critical blueprint for global success and the preservation of nature for future generations. The robustness of our region’s biodiversity is directly proportional to its resilience in confronting future climate and biodiversity shocks, thus ensuring continued prosperity for our populace.”
Expressing confidence in the collective efforts of ECOWAS, he stated, “I am optimistic that ECOWAS will once again spearhead ambitious initiatives for biodiversity conservation. By tackling intricate technical challenges and charting innovative pathways forward, we will not only underscore our unwavering commitment but also send a resounding message to the international community. If we, despite lacking the resources of the Global North, can undertake such endeavors, what rationale exists for inertia in any region?”
Salako underscored the mutual benefits of collaborative action, citing that over half of the global GDP relies on robust biodiversity and healthy ecosystems. He emphasized the imperative of investing in biodiversity conservation and the 30 by 30 agenda as a strategic long-term investment in the economies and future of our nations, and indeed, the world at large.
Furthermore, he urged Nigerians to prioritize the protection of the livelihoods of indigenous peoples and local communities, who serve as the custodians of the subregion’s invaluable biodiversity.
Assuring continued commitment, Salako affirmed, “President Bola Tinubu, the President of Nigeria and Chairman of ECOWAS, stands as a steadfast advocate for the environment and a climate champion, with sustainability forming a cornerstone of his economic agenda.”
In alignment with Salako’s sentiments, Mrs. Massandje Toure-Litse, Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture of the ECOWAS Commission, emphasized the imperative of collective action among member countries to safeguard the region.
“ECOWAS countries have played a pivotal role in advocating for the global commitment to expand protected areas to 30% of the planet by 2030. It is our shared responsibility to bolster our protected areas, as degraded ecosystems imperil the physical, economic, and food security of both local communities and multinational enterprises,” remarked Mrs. Toure-Litse, represented by Mr. Bernard Koffi, Head of the Environment and Climate Change Division of the ECOWAS.
