Minister of State for Environment has approved validated National Biodiversity Targets and Indicators for the Nigeria Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan which is a policy instrument and to mainstream its elements with border strategies and plans
Dr Kunle Iziaq Salako gave the approval at the validation workshop on the National Biodiversity Targets and Indicators for the early action support project to implement the Kunming-Montreal global Biodiversity framework in Abuja
Minister of State for Environment noted that African continent is more vulnerable to climate change, species loss, and biodiversity destruction than any other.
“ African environments and resources, including that of our country have been hit hard by decades and centuries of exploitation mostly perpetrated by other countries especially in the global north. And now our environments, our wildlife, our lands, and our peoples are most at risk.”
“Nigeria and the rest of African nations are leading the way to protect our planet’s biodiversity. Because Africa will be the most affected by the biodiversity and climate crisis, we are united in being the most ambitious in protecting our lands, our seas, our wildlife, and our people. This is our role today, as trustees of the Nigerian people to shine the beacon of hope for the natural world. Let ambition guide you as you validate the goals, targets and indicators that will guide the Nigeria response to the biodiversity crisis.”
“National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) is the policy instrument for national implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).”
“ To accelerate action towards achieving the vision for biodiversity and living in harmony with nature by 2050, NBSAP must be rapidly aligned and validated with the new goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Dr Salako also charges The KMGBF that their efforts must be translated into bold action. National goals, targets and measures must match the urgency of the crisis.
He also calls for unity to ensure that the call for ambition for the expansion of protected areas is matched with equal ambition on finance, on halting human-induced extinction of wild species, on mutual accountability to halt forest loss and degradation, on securing species recovery and the restoration of jeopardized ecosystems.
