FG: Nigeria on Course to Develop National Biodiversity Strategy 

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The federal government has said the nation was on course to develop a practical, inclusive and ambitious National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.
Speaking in Abuja, yesterday,  at the Inception Workshop for the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework( KMGBF) Early Action Support Project, the Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako said: “Biodiversity underpins life on earth, from human health and well-being to food and water security to economies and livelihoods. Yet biodiversity is severely threatened and declining at unprecedented levels due to increasing pollution, resource exploitation, land use change, invasive species, and climate change, among other factors.”

He noted that: “National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) are the policy instruments for national implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
“To accelerate action to achieve the Vision for Biodiversity of living in harmony with nature by 2050, NBSAPs must be rapidly aligned with the new goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.”

He added that: “Having seen the strength of Nigeria’s ambition and technical expertise, I am confident that we can lead the way once again and develop a practical, inclusive and ambitious National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.”
He told the participants that it, “is your job here today to kick start this process.  We need to ensure that we instrumentalise and accelerate action across sectors and society toward the realisation of the goals and targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework.

“I would like to recognise the vital contributions of GEF, UNEP, FAO and other Partners for providing a financial and technical support package that focuses on four components: NBSAP alignment, monitoring systems, policy & institutional coherence, and biodiversity finance.

 “Our role here today is to focus on a rapid review of our NBSAP using a whole-of-government approach to identify the level of alignment of national goals and targets with those of the Kunming-Montreal GBF and relevant Sustainable Development Goals, and make adjustments where appropriate.”

Earlier, the representative of the Country Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Nifesimi Ogunkua, said the FAO was excited about Nigeria’s readiness to incorporate agrifood into its NBSAPs.

She added that: “This forward-thinking approach aligns with FAO’s mission to promote biodiversity conservation, sustainable natural resources management and ensure sustainable agricultural practices globally. Nigeria’s dedication to integrating agrifood into its national strategies is a commendable step toward building a resilient and thriving biodiversity conservation.”