Bogotá has been selected to host the global celebration of World Cities Day on October 31, 2025 – a United Nations observance that highlights the role of cities in advancing sustainable development. This year’s theme is “People centred smart cities”. The announcement was made at a press conference in the Colombian capital, with representatives from the city and UN-Habitat.
Bogotá, Colombia
World Cities Day is marked each year to celebrate the achievement of cities in addressing pressing global challenges. By 2050, nearly 70 per cent of the world’s population is expected to live in urban areas, placing increased demands on housing, services, infrastructure, and climate resilience, while raising questions about social equity and inclusion.
“We are proud to celebrate World Cities Day 2025 in Bogotá, a city that exemplifies how innovation can serve people and communities. This is a moment to come together, recognise urban progress, and reaffirm our shared commitment to inclusive, sustainable, and people-centred cities,” highlighted Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat.
“The global celebration in Bogotá will be a unique opportunity to foster international dialogue on people-centered smart cities, where technology and data serve to enhance quality of life, strengthen citizen participation, and bring communities closer to adequate housing,” said Elkin Velásquez, Regional Director for UN-Habitat in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Bogotá was selected for its efforts to integrate inclusion, resilience, and sustainability into urban development. The city has implemented policies promoting social inclusion, housing access, sustainable mobility, and climate action, while adopting approaches that use data and citizen participation to improve public services and quality of life.
“For Bogotá, hosting World Cities Day is both an honour and a great responsibility. We’ll welcome the world with a city that puts people at the centre and shows it’s possible to build resilience, sustainability, and inclusion through trust and citizen participation,” said Carlos Fernando Galán, Mayor of Bogotá.
The 2025 edition of World Cities Day will be the second tme the global celebration takes place in Latin America, following its 2016 commemoration in Quito during Habitat III. Previous host cities include Shanghai, Ekaterinburg, Liverpool, Luxor, and Alexandria.
The event will bring together representatives from national and local governments, United Nations agencies, development partners, civil society, academia, and the private sector. Participants will share lessons, best practices, and practical approaches to strengthening the role of cities as engines of sustainable development.
World Cities Day concludes Urban October, a month-long UN-Habitat campaign that mobilises people and organisations worldwide to promote dialogue and action for more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient cities.
If Nigeria is to win the war against climate change and secure a sustainable future for its citizens, both living and unborn, it must immediately review its current strategy and shift its fight from the glasshouses in Abuja, the country’s capital, where most climate talks are usually held, to the subnational level spread across the various states.
Participants during the unveiling of the Climate Governance Performance Ranking report, which evaluates Nigeria’s 36 states, in Abuja, the country’s capital. The event was organised by the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) in collaboration with the Department of Climate Change under the Federal Ministry of Environment
Rainfall patterns in Katsina State, in the northwestern region, have become more unpredictable, leading to the disruption of agricultural cycles and endangering lives and food security. Similar to this, the constant flooding that still dominates the lives of the people in Bayelsa, another state in the South-South part of the nation, has resulted in the displacement of numerous communities.
These are the everyday realities that are taking place all around the country, not predictions from climate theories. The issue of climate change in Nigeria has become urgent, tangible, and deeply localised. Sadly, however, the infrastructure for responding remains heavily centralised, mostly in urban areas.
As Nigeria advances its climate objectives, from updating its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to implementing the Climate Change Act and detailing a net-zero pathway, one thing becomes increasingly clear: our 36 states hold the key to implementation. A national goal is meaningless if states are structurally underprepared to act.
In order to tackle this issue, the Department of Climate Change (DCC) in the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) carried out an extensive training needs assessment of climate change desk officers, directors, and focal persons throughout Nigeria. With 48 contributions from 34 states and the FCT, the response was overwhelming and provided the most comprehensive image to date of the capacity gaps impeding successfully implementing climate action at the state level.
From what the states told us in the assessment, three core gaps emerged as top priorities:
Accessing and managing climate finance (29 states)
Greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory and reporting skills (28 states)
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting (MER) for climate projects (25 states)
These aren’t “nice-to-haves.” They are foundational capabilities, essential for designing fundable climate projects, tracking impact, and mainstreaming climate into state policies and budgets.
Respondents also highlighted further areas for support: climate budgeting, carbon markets, digital monitoring tools, stakeholder coordination, gender integration, and effective engagement strategies. This points to a growing awareness among state actors of the complex, interlinked demands of modern climate governance.
Yet, despite this motivation and readiness, many states still face systemic barriers such as
• Underfunded or poorly structured climate desks
• Limited technical capacity, especially on climate finance
• Absence of reliable data systems or over-reliance on external consultants
• Weak integration of climate priorities into broader state planning
This implementation gap, between ambition and ability, undermines Nigeria’s credibility and progress where it matters most.
To move from diagnosis to delivery, as a framework to bridge the gap, the SPP/DCC team is launching a Capacity Building Implementation Framework, a practical roadmap to equip states/climate desk officers with the tools, skills, and support needed to lead local climate action.
But this cannot, and should not, be a standalone effort. Thus, in the Call to Collective Action,
Federal MDAs must:
• Institutionalise annual training and capacity-building for subnational actors
• Provide standardised toolkits, data frameworks, and benchmarking models
Donors and Development Partners must:
• Prioritise state-level technical support in GHG inventory, MER systems, and climate finance.
• Build readiness for Article 6 and results-based climate budgeting
State Governments must:
• Establish and fund dedicated climate change desks
• Mainstream climate into development planning and inter-ministerial coordination
Civil society and academia must:
• Drive peer learning, mentoring, and knowledge exchange
• Co-develop digital tools and community-responsive engagement strategies
The evidence is clear: Nigeria’s states are ready. What they need now is coordinated, sustained, and strategic support. That’s why we propose the creation of a National Subnational Climate Training Compact, a bold, collaborative initiative bringing together public, private, and development partners to ensure every state is equipped to lead climate action from within.
This is because it is not the beautiful glass palaces of Abuja, where most high-level climate talks are conducted, but rather the decisions made and the capacities built in places like Abia, Zamfara, and all points in between that will assure Nigeria’s climate resilience. The time to act is now, and we are all responsible for it.
By Timothy Ogenyi, who leads the SCGPR 2.0 project and coordinates subnational climate governance initiatives for the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP)
Southern Africa on Friday, July 25, 2025, took a significant leap in regional environmental co-operation with the official launch of the Southern Africa Ramsar Regional Initiative (SARRI) at the ongoing 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP15), being held in Victoria Falls, Zambia.
Victoria Falls
The launch event was marked by the presence of high-level dignitaries and technical experts, signalling a strong and united front by Sadc member States to safeguard the region’s wetlands.
The initiative is aimed at promoting wetland conservation and sustainable use across borders, in alignment with the Ramsar Convention’s global objectives.
Speaking on behalf of Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, Water and Sanitation Development minister Collins Nzovu emphasised the ecological and socio-economic importance of wetlands.
“Wetlands are critical to our biodiversity, our livelihoods and our resilience to climate change. Zambia is proud to co-host this historic launch and stand united with our Sadc partners in protecting these ecosystems,” he said.
Zambia leads the SARRI Steering Committee as Chair, with South Africa serving as co-chair – a leadership structure that was endorsed earlier this year, following a series of consultations and workshops, including the pivotal meeting held in La Réunion in May 2024.
That meeting resulted in the La Réunion Declaration, which laid the groundwork for the governance framework and operational strategy of SARRI.
Yesterday’s launch served as a formal introduction of SARRI and an appeal to stakeholders — from governments and civil society to the private sector and donors — to collaborate on wetland restoration and protection.
Musonda Mumba, the secretary-general of the Ramsar Convention, commended Sadc countries for institutionalising regional co-operation through SARRI, which she described as a model for other regions.
The Sadc Secretariat, represented by senior programme officer for environment and climate change, Sibongile Mavimbela, and IUCN’s eastern and southern Africa regional director, Luther Anukur, also delivered remarks supporting the initiative.
A key highlight of the launch was the unveiling of SARRI’s Draft First-Order Strategic Plan, which outlines its conservation priorities, funding needs and a roadmap for operationalising wetland-related policies.
The plan positions SARRI to support Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) and aligns its goals with broader Sadc frameworks on biodiversity and climate resilience.
During a short panel discussion, Sandra Ponde, chair of SARRI, and partner representatives from NatureXpairs and OFB reflected on the initiative’s progress since its adoption at COP14 in 2022.
They acknowledged achievements in governance, partnership building, and regional consensus, while also identifying funding gaps and capacity needs as pressing challenges.
The event concluded with closing remarks from government representatives of Seychelles and Mozambique, delivered in French and Portuguese respectively, reinforcing the inclusive and multilingual spirit of the initiative.
The launch of SARRI is expected to catalyse increased technical co-operation, resource mobilisation and policy harmonisation across southern Africa, ensuring that wetlands remain protected, resilien and central to regional development agendas.
It also builds momentum toward the adoption of the Victoria Falls Declaration, which is set to be the key outcome document of COP15, positioning wetlands at the core of climate and biodiversity strategies globally.
With SARRI now officially operational, the region sets a precedent for co-operative action and ecological diplomacy – a clear signal that southern Africa is ready to lead by example in wetland conservation.
Protesters have suspended themselves from the Forth Road Bridge, a suspension bridge in Scotland, as part of a demonstration over plastic pollution.
Some of the suspended Greenpeace protesters. The public has been urged to avoid the area
Police Scotland has closed the bridge in South Queensferry to all traffic following reports of the protest around 1.05pm on Friday, July 25, 2025.
Greenpeace say 10 protesters are suspended off the structure with the aim of stopping an INEOS tanker from reaching Grangemouth oil refinery.
The campaign group intends to remain there for the next 24 hours.
The Greenpeace climbers abseiled from beneath the bridge’s service walkway, unfurling six giant “Plastics Treaty Now”’ banners.
The group says they will remain suspended 25 metres above the main shipping lane of the River Forth, preventing the tanker from reaching port.
They are supported by a rescue crew on the bridge and a boat team in the river below.
Amy Cameron, programme director at Greenpeace UK said: “Plastic pollution has reached a crisis point: it’s poisoning our land, seas, air, even our bodies.
“The Global Plastics Treaty offers us a once in a generation chance to tackle the problem for good, so it’s no surprise INEOS and its billionaire boss, Jim Ratcliffe, are doing everything they can to stop it.
“Ratcliffe tries to distract us with sports teams and sponsorships, but we’re not going to let him fill our planet with plastic, so he can fill his pockets with profit. Ratcliffe is trying to block a strong Global Plastics Treaty, so today we’re blocking him.”
The action comes less than a fortnight before governments meet in Geneva, Switzerland, for the sixth and final round of negotiations on the Global Plastics Treaty.
Greenpeace is calling for these talks to agree to a cut in global plastic production of at least 75% by 2040, and for the UN to exclude lobbyists from INEOS and other fossil fuels companies from the treaty negotiations.
Road users are advised to use Queensferry Crossing.
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “The Forth Road Bridge is closed due to a protest reported to us around 1.05pm on Friday, July 25.
“Officers are in attendance and engaging with those involved.
The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA US)’s new report, “Traffickers Leave No Stone Unturned“, exposes the large-scale trafficking of mercury from mercury mines in Mexico – located in a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Biosphere reserve, to gold mines in Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru in violation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
Alexander von Bismarck, Executive Director at EIA US
According to EIA’s findings, from April 2019 to June 2025, approximately 200 tons of mercury have been trafficked – resulting, by conservative estimates, to the production of at least $8 billion worth of illegal gold, at current prices. The investigation shows how mercury and gold trafficking intersect with organised crime in both Mexico and Colombia.
Acting on EIA’s intelligence, Peruvian customs authorities stopped approximately 4 tons of Mexican mercury in June 2025, the largest seizure ever reported by an Amazonian country. This groundbreaking case sheds new light on the enforcement gaps and loopholes of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, raising urgent questions about its effectiveness to face the often highly covert and organised criminal groups that control mercury and gold trafficking.
Due to a combination of economic, geopolitical, and market factors, the price of gold has risen sharply since 2023, reaching a historic high in April 2025 with a price of $3,500 per ounce. This was largely attributed to trade tensions between the United States (U.S.) and China, which led investors to look for safe investment opportunities, like gold.
A significant portion of the gold being produced globally each year comes from illegal sources. Estimates for illegally extracted gold in Amazonian countries run from roughly 28% to nearly 90% of total production, depending on the country, while illegal gold mines have spread in recent years, becoming a significant regional driver of deforestation.
Recent studies show that the cumulative deforestation footprint from gold mining across the Amazon reached over 2 million hectares (nearly 5 million acres) by 2024, having increased by over 50% in the past six years. A third of the impact is located in protected areas and Indigenous territories, including on Yanomami, Munduruku, and Kayapó territories.
The current onslaught of illegal gold mining in the Amazon wouldn’t be possible without mercury. Miners use mercury to form an amalgam with gold-bearing sediments. The amalgam is then heated, vaporising the mercury and leaving behind gold. This process, while rudimentary, is central to illegal mining operations across the region and is the main driver of mercury pollution in the Amazon.
This process also releases large amounts of mercury into the environment. Gold mining is now the world’s largest source of airborne mercury pollution, releasing over 800 tons annually into the atmosphere. The mercury used in these operations contaminates soil, waterways, and forests. Mercury, which is a highly dangerous neurotoxin, enters the food chain, bioaccumulates, and causes severe neurological disorders and multiple other serious health problems for Amazonian communities.
Alexander von Bismarck, Executive Director at EIA US, explains: “The toxic flow of mercury to the illegal gold mines in the Amazon has been presented and accepted as inevitable for too many years, it is time to challenge this status quo that affects Amazonian communities and benefits organised criminals.”
From April 2019 and June 2025, EIA has investigated and documented the smuggling of approximately 200 tons of illegal mercury, which represents the largest flow of illegal mercury ever reported globally. The mercury route starts in the state of Queretaro in Mexico where a few active mercury mines are producing dozens of tons of mercury each year in order to feed gold mining demand in the Amazon. Several of these mines are located within the Sierra Gorda UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Evidence collected by EIA indicates that some of the mines are controlled by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. As of May 2025, sources from the Queretaro mines told investigators that a new “mercury fever” has hit the region since 2025, triggered by record high prices ($330 per kilogramme of mercury) offered by mercury traffickers, as a consequence of skyrocketing gold prices.
According to EIA’s investigation, Mexican mercury flows to often cartel-controlled gold mines in Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru, with some transhipment via the U.S. For instance, drug cartels in Colombia control an important part of domestic mercury trafficking routes. According to conservative estimates, the smuggled Mexican mercury has been used for the extraction of, at the very minimum, $8 billion worth of illegal gold (at the current price of $3,300 per ounce).
Based on EIA’s intelligence, Peruvian customs authority (Superintendencia Nacional de Aduanas y de Administración Tributaria – SUNAT) disrupted the Peruvian branch of a transnational organised criminal network via the seizure of a shipment of approximately 4 tons of smuggled mercury transhipped in Peru and inbound to Bolivia. The shipment was transported by Ocean Network Express (ONE) on a Hapag Lloyd vessel. This mercury seizure represents the largest ever reported by an Amazonian country.
Alexander von Bismarck comments: “As long as mercury mines remain open, in Mexico or elsewhere, smugglers will find their ways around. The problem must be addressed at its roots.”
While the Peruvian success against organised smuggling is a major step forward in the effort to combat illegal gold and mercury in the Amazon, EIA’s findings raise serious questions regarding the effectiveness of the Minamata Convention on Mercury and in particular its implementation in Mexico.
Several critical issues must be urgently addressed – particularly at the upcoming 6th Conference of the Parties of the Convention in November 2025 – including: the grace period that allows mercury mines to remain open and continue to produce primary mercury fueling illegal gold mines around the world; the lack of effective enforcement that allows mercury mines to remain active albeit formally illegal or unauthorised; the fact that ASGM is considered an “allowable” use of mercury under the Minamata Convention – a loophole that every day hurts ecosystems and hundreds of families across the Amazon.
President Bola Tinubu on Friday, July 25, 2025, appealed to power generation companies (GENCOs) to give the federal Government more time to complete the verification and validation of longstanding debts owed to them.
President Bola Tinubu
During a meeting with members of the Association of Power Generation Companies, led by Col. Sani Bello (rtd), at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the President assured them of his administration’s commitment to resolving the liquidity challenges in the power sector.
The Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Mrs. Olu Verheijen, disclosed that a ₦4 trillion bond programme has received anticipatory approval from President Tinubu to address the liquidity shortfall in the sector.
President Tinubu acknowledged the historic liabilities inherited from previous administrations and pledged transparency and fairness in addressing them:
“I accept the assets and liabilities of my predecessors, and there is no question about that. But that acceptance must be on credible grounds. I need to wear the audit cap of verifiability, authenticity, and the fact that this inheritance is not a mere deodorant but a support structure for critical economic and industrial promotion.”
The President emphasised the need for patience from GENCOs and financial institutions, noting that government agencies are actively engaging audit and legal firms to scrutinise the claims.
“We are here. So market it to your other colleagues. Give us time to do verification and validation of the numbers,” he said.
While reaffirming his belief in a market-driven electricity sector, the President said the industry’s long-neglected legacy issues are now receiving the attention they deserve.
“This is a longstanding issue that is now being dealt with. I know how much we have been able to save on fuel subsidies. We introduced the alternative, CNG, to bring relief back to the people.”
President Tinubu also emphasised the government’s commitment to creating a stable investment environment and avoiding extreme measures, such as bank asset foreclosures, against the generation companies.
“To our friends in the banking sector, I ask that we avoid foreclosures. Sharpen your pencils, but keep an eraser handy. Let’s persevere together.”
Describing electricity as “the most important discovery of humanity in the last 1,000 years,” the President reaffirmed that access to electricity is fundamental to economic growth and human dignity.
The Special Adviser to the President, Ms. Verheijen, attributed the liquidity crisis to “a combination of unfunded tariff shortfalls and market shortfalls” that have built up over a decade.
She stated that as of April 2025, the Federal Government is carrying a verified exposure of ₦4 trillion in debts to GENCOs, an accumulation dating back to 2015.
“We have since sat with 27 GENCOs – not all of them are here today – and reviewed their PPAs and gas sales agreements to understand the legitimacy of their claims. The GENCOs claimed about ₦4 trillion from 2015 to the end of 2023,” she said.
According to her, the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET) – the agency that contractually mediates between GENCOs and the government – has validated ₦1.8 trillion of these claims so far.
“Since that period, we have had ₦200 billion in unfunded subsidies that have accumulated the federal government’s liability.
“So, as of April 2025, the total exposure that we are carrying at the moment is ₦4 trillion,” she added.
However, Ms. Verheijen cautioned that the figure remains subject to downward revision, pending final validation.
“While there is an anticipatory approval of this ₦4 trillion bond programme, it is subject to negotiations and final settlement of agreements. Only the amounts that the federal government validly owes are the things that will make it into the issuance by DMO,” she explained.
The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, commended President Tinubu for the attention given to the power sector, stating that the administration’s reforms have restored investor confidence and improved performance across the electricity value chain.
“Your Excellency, your presence at this meeting is a clear testament to your unwavering commitment to the sustainability, stability, and long-term development of Nigeria’s power sector. Under your leadership, we have recorded critical milestones in less than two years,” the Minister said.
Adelabu said the Tinubu administration signed into law the Electricity Act, 2023, which decentralises and liberalises the electricity market. This was the first legislation signed by the President upon assuming office.
He noted that the administration has launched Nigeria’s first Integrated National Electricity Policy in 24 years to drive coherence in sector planning and delivery.
He disclosed that over $2 billion in new private capital has been attracted to expand electricity access nationwide. At the same time, the sector’s annual revenue has grown by 70 per cent – from ₦1 trillion in 2023 to ₦1.7 trillion in 2024 – resulting in a reduction of government subsidy obligations by over ₦700 billion.
He added that installed generation capacity has grown from 13,000 MW to 14,000 MW, with an all-time peak generation of 5,801 MW and a record maximum daily energy delivery of 120,370 MWh, achieved on March 4, 2025.
According to him, there has been no national grid collapse in 2025, a direct result of interventions under the Presidential Power Initiative, which has added over 700MW of transmission capacity.
He reported significant progress in narrowing Nigeria’s metering gap through the ₦700 billion Presidential Metering Initiative, funded via FAAC, and the World Bank-supported Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP), which has already delivered 300,000 smart meters out of 3.45 million procured.
While acknowledging these strides, Adelabu cautioned that the sector is grappling with an urgent liquidity crisis that could undermine the sustainability of ongoing reforms and investments.
“Mr. President, given the grave implications of this debt overhang, including the risk of a nationwide shutdown of generation assets, I humbly seek your immediate support for defraying these obligations, even if partially, over a defined period,” the Minister appealed.
He urged the President to continue supporting structural reforms to ensure a resilient and financially viable power market.
In separate remarks, business leaders Tony Elumelu and Kola Adesina appealed for urgent intervention to preserve operations and encourage further investment in the sector.
“Mr. President, we’ve come to you as a last hope. The generating companies are heavily indebted to banks, and foreclosure threats are real, not because we’re not doing our jobs, but because the system owes us trillions,” Elumelu said.
He commended the Tinubu administration for restoring the integrity of oil production and banking stability.
“Before you took office in 2023, we lost 97% of our daily oil production. Today, we are retaining 98%. That’s transformation. Investors are seeing greater stability and predictability,” he said.
On electricity, Elumelu added: “We don’t need power to complete your transformation, we need power to enable it. Power is critical to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential. We urge you to help solve this debt problem.”
Adesina reiterated the need for immediate liquidity support while raising concerns over gas supply shortfalls.
“Liquidity is the oxygen of our business. Without urgent intervention, generation capacity will stall, and Nigeria’s industrial and economic ambitions will be jeopardised.
“The plants in the Afam axis are underperforming because we have not paid gas suppliers. We propose unlocking 800 million cubic feet of gas through NLNG to boost supply to these power plants,” he said.
The meeting was attended by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun; the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris; and other senior government officials, regulators, and stakeholders in Nigeria’s electricity industry.
WaterAid Malawi has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering women in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector, highlighting their critical role in driving positive change in communities.
WaterAid Malawi Country Director, Peter Phiri
Speaking during the launch of the Professional Women in Water Sector Network (PROWIWS) in Lilongwe, WaterAid Malawi Country Director, Peter Phiri, said women play a vital role in promoting hygiene and sanitation, especially at the household and community levels.
“Women can be effective advocates for improved sanitation and hygiene practices, particularly in communities where they play a key role in childcare and household management,” said Phiri.
“They also have the potential to lead WASH initiatives, mobilise communities, and promote lasting behaviour change.”
The newly launched PROWIWS aims to enhance women’s participation and leadership in the sector.
The network’s president, Phideria Clara Moyo, said the platform would ensure women’s voices are heard in national WASH discussions.
“PROWIWS aims to provide a platform for women to amplify WASH messages, complement government efforts, and ensure women are not left behind in decision-making,” Moyo said.
“We are committed to seeing women take up more leadership roles that will influence progress in the sector.”
The launch event brought together stakeholders from government, civil society, and development organisations, all reaffirming support for gender inclusion in WASH policy and practice.
WaterAid Malawi and PROWIWS said their collaboration would focus on promoting sustainable development by equipping women with the tools and opportunities to lead, inspire, and implement change in Malawi’s WASH systems.
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved $30.25 million in financing for a climate protection and agricultural sector resilience programme in Benin. Thanks to this approval, Beninese farmers, particularly those in northern Benin, will no longer have to fear losing their entire harvest during devastating droughts or sudden floods.
Robert Masumbuko, African Development Bank Benin Country Manage
This initiative will protect 150,000 smallholder farmers against climate shocks in a country where agriculture employs seven out of 10 people but remains at the mercy of an increasingly unpredictable climate. The situation is particularly critical in the departments of Alibori and Atakora, where one in four farmers suffers from food insecurity, well above the national average.
These northern regions face a double burden of climate challenges and spillover effects from Sahel instability, creating additional pressures through forced displacement and border closures with Niger. Climate projections indicate alarming future risks, with cotton production and maize yields expected to drop by 22% and 6.3% respectively, with potential economic losses estimated at approximately 201 billion CFA francs.
“This investment represents our commitment to strengthening climate resilience in Benin’s agricultural sector while responding to the urgent needs of vulnerable farming communities,” said Robert Masumbuko, African Development Bank Country Representative in Benin. “By introducing innovative risk management tools and strengthening local capacities, we are helping farmers adapt to climate change while preventing conflicts and promoting social cohesion in fragile border areas.”
The project strengthens the Beninese government’s efforts to establish agricultural insurance, whose pilot phase is managed by Benin’s National Fund for Agricultural Development (FNDA).
It introduces innovative climate risk transfer mechanisms, including sovereign insurance coverage against droughts and floods via the African Risk Capacity, and agricultural micro- insurance for smallholders. These tools will improve farmers’ risk profiles with financial institutions, facilitating better access to credit and investment opportunities.
Beyond insurance mechanisms, the initiative will strengthen institutional capacities for climate disaster management, deploy early warning systems with agrometeorological equipment, and promote climate-smart agricultural practices. The programme specifically targets 30% youth participation and ensures 30% female representation among the 150,000 direct beneficiaries. Furthermore, special attention is given to social cohesion activities to support peaceful integration of displaced populations in host communities.
The financing comes from multiple sources: $20 million from the “prevention” envelope of the Transition Support Facility, $5 million from the African Development Fund, $3 million from the ADRiFi multi-donor trust fund, and approximately $2.44 million in national counterpart contributions for insurance premiums.
The project aligns with Benin’s National Development Plan 2018-2025 and its National Adaptation Plan 2022-2027, supporting the country’s agricultural transformation objectives while strengthening climate change resilience through innovative instruments such as insurance. Strategic partnerships with the World Food Programme, the World Bank, and bilateral donors such as Swiss and Luxembourg cooperations ensure comprehensive support for sustainable agricultural development, including the establishment of agricultural insurance in Benin.
For Benin’s farming families, this financing represents hope for protected harvests, stable incomes, and a safer future for their children. For northern Benin communities, this project is a guarantee of stability and social cohesion in a strategic region of West Africa, and finally, for the Beninese state, the project ensures financial resilience against increasingly recurrent disaster risks.
The African Development Bank Group says it remains committed to supporting Africa’s agricultural transformation through innovative climate adaptation solutions that protect vulnerable communities while promoting sustainable development and regional stability.
In a historic gathering marking the 40th anniversary of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), African Heads of State, Ministers of Environment, and global partners convened in Nairobi under the auspices of Libya’s presidency to adopt a High-Level Political Declaration (HLPD). This milestone declaration reaffirms Africa’s collective resolve to tackle escalating environmental challenges ranging from climate change and biodiversity loss to pollution and land degradation while celebrating four decades of continental leadership in environmental governance.
Deliberations at AMCEN 2025
The declaration set the tone for a transformative future rooted in sustainability, resilience, and inclusive development. More than 1,500 delegates, including environment ministers from all of Africa’s 54 countries, civil society, private sector actors, youth, and development partners participated in the week-long conference.
“The African Ministerial Conference on the Environment must remain at the forefront of shaping the ‘Africa We Want’ through bold, visionary, and action-oriented leadership, Kenya is proud to walk this journey with you, advocating for environmental justice that recognises our unique development needs and circumstances. Let us not only speak with one voice but act with one resolve. The next forty years must be about delivery, not deliberation,” the ministers declared.
President William Ruto had earlier in the week, on Wednesday, made an unscheduled visit to meet with AMCEN delegates, reaffirming Kenya’s commitment to environmental leadership and calling for greater African unity in tackling climate change
Ministers adopted the Tripoli Declaration on Environmental Action in Africa, a bold and forward-looking roadmap outlining key priorities for 2025–2027. The Declaration calls for urgent regional action on drought, biodiversity loss, plastic and chemical pollution, as well as integration of circular and blue economy approaches anchored in science, cooperation, and environmental justice. The final text of the Tripoli Declaration will be ready in a month.
Moses Vilakati, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment of the African Union Commission (AUC), reflected on the enduring legacy of AMCEN:
“As we celebrate 40 years of AMCEN, we acknowledge its role in helping Africa speak with one voice and shape policies. Over the years, AMCEN has reinforced our shared commitment to resilience and sustainable development. But as we celebrate, we must also look ahead. The road is long, and we must face the realities and challenges we know too well – rapid population growth, the weaponisation of natural resources, and climate change. We must bridge coordination gaps between AMCEN and other bodies. AMCEN’s journey is far from complete; in fact, it is just beginning.”
The High-Level Political Declaration reaffirmed AMCEN’s role as the principal forum for Africa’s environmental agenda; committed to stable and predictable financing for AMCEN’s Trust Fund and UNEP’s Environment Fund and called for a regional multi-stakeholder forum on chemicals and waste management. It also pledged to combat climate change through national and regional action plans; called for a legally binding protocol on drought under the UNCCD and; reaffirmed rejection of solar geoengineering.
The Ministers also adopted the Africa Ocean Governance Strategy and called for national blue economy strategies; established an African Groups ofNegotiators on Oceans and Wetlands; urged ratification of the BBNJ Agreement and extended the Africa Decade of Seas and Oceans (2026–2035) and reaffirmed commitment to biodiversity conservation and implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Framework.
The ministers welcomed the creation of two more Africa Group of Negotiators on oceans and wetlands. Ministers also supported Nairobi as host of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution, strengthening Africa’s visibility in global environmental governance. The Declaration endorsed convening the next AMCEN as a joint session with African Finance Ministers, linking environmental imperatives with economic planning and budgeting.
Outgoing AMCEN President, Dr. Fitsum Assefa Adela, Minister of Planning and Development of Ethiopia, emphasised the need for AMCEN to evolve from dialogue to delivery: “This milestone marks not just the end of a chapter, but the beginning of a more ambitious phase. AMCEN must now become the platform for transformative action, not just declarations.”
Incoming AMCEN President, Dr. Ibrahim A. Munir, Minister of Environment of the State of Libya, pledged to uphold and accelerate AMCEN’s implementation agenda: “Libya is honoured to host this 20th session and assume AMCEN’s presidency at such a critical moment. We must now move from commitments to concrete delivery across all sectors and regions.”
Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), lauded AMCEN’s enduring role in shaping Africa’s environmental destiny: “UNEP stands ready to provide technical and policy support to help turn these important conversations into actions that deliver impact where it is most needed. That’s why the theme of UNEA-7, to be held here in Nairobi in December, is “Advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet.”
From Reflection to Action
The session was preceded by a Regional Consultative Meeting of Major Groups and Stakeholders from July 10 to 13. The voices of civil society, Indigenous Peoples, women, youth, and academia were reflected in the declaration, which emphasised policy coherence, environmental data systems, and integrated planning between environment and finance ministries.
David Munene, Regional Facilitator of the Africa Major Groups and Stakeholders, urged ministers to maintain momentum beyond Nairobi:
“Beyond today, AMCEN must be bold in achieving its environmental targets, strengthening the link between coordination and implementation in Africa.” He further urged, “AMCEN to elevate the role of MGS Africa, civil society and academia in a youth and gender-inclusive manner.”
Africa Major Groups and Stakeholders, called for urgent halting and reversing biodiversity loss and restoration, a legally binding instrument covering the full life cycle of plastics, mercury pollution elimination, an ambitious Global Goal on Adaptation with clear indicators and requisite means of implementation, and meaningful stakeholder engagement.
The newly launched AMCEN@40 Anniversary Report was unveiled to honour the body’s legacy, which includes the creation of the Bamako Convention and Africa’s collective voice in global negotiations, including the Paris Agreement, UNCBD, and future COPs.
With a renewed sense of purpose, strong political backing, and united action, AMCEN enters its fifth decade poised to support Africa’s just, green, and resilient future.
The Bolowei (Traditional Prime Minister) of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta State, Dr Wellington Okirika, has commended Sen. Ned Nwoko (APC-Delta) for his bold stance on the proper implementation of the 13 per cent derivation fund.
Senator Ned Nwoko
Okirika, a renowned Niger Delta elder statesman, described Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District, as a true patriot and fearless advocate of equity for the oil-producing region.
This is contained in a statement from the Ned Nwoko Media Directorate and made available in Abuja on Friday, July 25, 2025.
According to the statement, the elder statesman also known as “Mr. 13 per cent Derivation Fund” due to his long-standing activism for host communities, expressed his appreciation during a meeting with the lawmaker.
He said his confidence in Nwoko’s leadership prompted him to take the 30-year injustice allegedly perpetuated by some governors in the region directly to the lawmaker.
“You proved to me that you are a true leader by your actions towards the deliberate act of unpatriotism done against the people of the Niger Delta region,” he said.
Okirika, who is the founding Executive Chairman of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) and a founding father of the Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSCON), described the Delta North Senator as “one of the best leaders in Nigeria who hate oppression and is very vocal”.
He expressed optimism that the lawmaker’s intervention would mark a turning point in the legal and legislative redress of what he termed a long-standing economic injustice to the host communities.
According to him, communities in Delta Central and Delta South Senatorial Zones “are closely following your activities at the National Assembly and are impressed by your dedication and unique commitment to issues of national and regional significance.”
“We believe the governors will hear from you shortly and the Niger Delta region will never forget you as you take the motion for an act to urgently commence the legal implementation of the 13 per cent derivation fund to reflect the legislative compliance of Section 162(2).
“This section mandates the Federal Government to pay the 13 per cent directly to host communities,” Okirika added.
