An agricultural expert, Mr. Titilayo Adebanjo, has called on the Federal Government to revive “Operation Feed the Nation” to boost food sufficiency and supply chain across the country.
Adebanjo made the call in an interview on Sunday, January 5, 2025, in Epe, Lagos.
Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security
He said that, if all states across the country go into agriculture, especially food production, It would boost food availability in the market and eventually lead to price reduction.
Adebanjo noted that a robust agricultural sector was fundamental to national development.
“Operation feed the Nation” was one of the agricultural policy thrusts of the administration of Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo during his tenure as military head of state.
According to Adebanjo, prioritising farming remains a key strategy towards achieving food security in the country.
He maintained that increased investment in agriculture was critical in ensuring that citizens have access to affordable food items.
The agriculture expert stressed the need for all states in the country to embrace farming so as to become self sufficient in food production.
He added that this approach and intervention would not only enhance food security, but also contribute to stabilising food prices across the nation.
“It is logical that if every state in the country takes farming seriously and produces food to meet the needs of its citizens, it will significantly reduce the cost of food in the market.
“An increase in food supply will naturally lead to lower prices, making food more affordable for the average Nigerians,” he said.
Adebanjo urged the government to create the needed enabling environment for farmers by providing incentives such as; access to land, low-interest loans, and modern farming equipment.
He explained that these measures would motivate more individuals to venture into agriculture and increase productivity.
The expert also called for the promotion of agricultural education and training programmes to equip farmers with modern techniques and knowledge.
“This will enhance efficiency in food production and improve the quality of agricultural outputs, ” he said.
Adebanjo called on all tiers of government to act swiftly in implementing policies that would transform farming into a sustainable solution for food security in the country.
The Lagos State Commissioner For Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, on Sunday, January 5, 2025, tasked all the state agencies to be up and about to ensure a cleaner environment in 2025.
Wahab made this known while speaking with journalists after an inspection tour of the ongoing projects and new ones in Lagos Island and its environs to kick start the activities for the year.
Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab
He also advised lagosians and residents to take ownership of the infrastructures provided by the government.
“We shall continue to help our people and show them reasons why they can’t keep behaving this way and expect a different result.
“We have provided infrastructure but the humans must take ownership of those infrastructures and that is what this year is going to be about.
“On our part, we must also take ownership of those responsibilities that have been given to us.
“All our agencies must be out there to do the work. Not just the Lagos State Waste Management Authority or the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, or LASPARK,” he said.
On the inspection tour, Wahab who was delighted about the extent of the work, said the ministry would continue to ensure a cleaner environment for the state.
“Today was just to assess and review what the governor had approved. This should be our fifth time of coming to Lagos Island in the past one year, four months.
“We saw the level of degradation. But if you press men will be fair to government, there was an infrastructure that was built by Julius Berger.
“The infrastructure was properly done, road networked with proper drainage and walkway, but human bad behavior over time clocked the system.
“So, what the governor had done is re-award the whole of Lagos Island road infrastructure, drainage infrastructure that was awarded last year so we have come to see to be sure the contractors are fully ready and are on site,” Wahab said.
He said that was the reason for the inspection and to ensure the contractors were doing the work as required.
“We have come to inspect and our response is prompt. What I told the engineers and the permanent secretaries is that we should find a way to appeal to the contractors.
“We can appeal to them to bridge the time from 24 months to maybe 18 or even 15 or 16 months and then prioritise some of those critical collectors like the one around the Ojogiwa Adeniji that would discharge and come towards Ilubinrin.
“We can’t drop the ball, we can’t wait for the rains to come on us, we have to start working from day one and that’s what we are doing.
“So, assessment is fine, contractors mobilised and then within us we have a working group to put them on their toes,” he said.
While talking about Ilubinrin, the commissioner said that the project going on there was critical to what the ministry was doing in Lagos Island.
“This is the most critical infrastructure to what we are doing inside Lagos Island. Now, we have been here several times. But for me, today is one of my happiest moments coming here.
“It is ready. They will energise this place within the next 10 days or thereabout.
“Once it’s energised, you see the infrastructure in place. These three big pumps are ready to go. The 1000 KVA generators are there. The system is ready.
“Transformers are in place dedicated for this project. Now, everything we are doing in Lagos Island will still have to come through this place, and this will now discharge it into the lagoon.
“So, that’s why it is so critical to what we are providing for them in Lagos Island and we thank everyone for being patient with us,” he said.
Wahab said that there would be an increased advocacy in 2025 to ensure compliance to law and order.
“People came into Lagos this last December, did this so many dirts? No, because we were on top of our game.
“This year will be much more bigger and then we must start the advocacy from now,” he said.
He thanked Lagosians for being patient and assured them of a better and cleaner environment in 2025.
The commissioner during the tour ordered the immediate sealing of three buildings on Adeniji Adele road for dumping of building materials on the drainage channels.
Wahab noted that there was going back on the ban on single use plastics, adding that littering especially with styrofoam had reduced in the state.
The places visited by the team include Bombata Multipurpose Market; Oroyinyin area; Princess Street, Isale Gangan; Aroloya Street; Idumagbo Street; Adeniji Adele Trapezoidial Canal; Epe Collector Drain along Adeniji Adele Road and Ilubirin.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Mr. Mele Kolo Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPCL) Limited, to “account for and explain the whereabouts of the alleged missing N825 billion and $2.5 billion meant for ‘refinery rehabilitation’ and other oil revenues, as documented in the 2021 annual report by the Auditor-General of the Federation.”
GCEO, NNPC Ltd, Mr. Mele Kyari
The group, which made the submission in a statement endorsed by Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP Deputy Director, on Sunday, January 5, 2025, said the annual report was published on Thursday, November 27, 2024.
SERAP asked Kyari “to identify those suspected to be responsible for the disappeared oil money and hand them over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).”
In the letter dated January 4, 2025, and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “We welcome your timely public invitation to former president Obasanjo ‘to tour the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries’.”
SERAP said, “While your invitation is clearly not ‘disrespectful’, contrary to the claims by the former president because no one is above the law, we urge you to formally invite him, and to extend your invitation to the EFCC and ICPC for the sake of transparency and accountability.
The letter, reads in part: “The grim allegations by the Auditor-General suggest a grave violation of the public trust and the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, national anticorruption laws, and the country’s international obligations.
“The allegations have also undermined economic development of the country, trapped the majority of Nigerians in poverty and deprived them of opportunities.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel the NNPCL to comply with our requests in the public interest.
“According to the recently published 2021 audited report by the Auditor General of the Federation (AGF), the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) failed to account for over N825 billion and $2.5 billion of public funds meant for ‘refinery rehabilitation’ and repairs, and other oil revenues.
“The Auditor-General fears that the money may be missing.”
“The NNPCL reportedly failed to account for over N82 billion (N82,951,595,510.47) meant for ‘refinery rehabilitation and repairs.’ The ‘money was deducted from the sale of Crude Oil and Gas between 2020 and 2021’.”
“The Auditor-General fears the money may be missing. He wants the money recovered and remitted to the Federation Account. He also wants the NNPCL ‘to ensure that the amounts due for the Federation Account are not subjected to any deductions before remittance of net.’”
“The NNPCL also reportedly failed to account for over N343 billion (N343,642,598,726.51) ‘being proceeds from domestic crude sales.’ The ‘money, meant for ‘pipelines maintenance and management costs, was unilaterally deducted from the gross domestic crude sales.’
“The Auditor-General fears ‘the money may have been diverted.’ He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury. He also wants the NNPCL to hand over those suspected to be involved to the EFCC and ICPC.
“The NNPCL also reportedly failed to account for over N83 billion (N83,659,813,739.99) ‘being miscellaneous income from the NNPC joint venture operations from 2016 to 2020.’ The ‘money was withdrawn from the CBN/NNPC sinking fund account (a suspense account).’
“The Auditor-General is concerned that this practice ‘has led the Federation to resort to borrowings.’ He wants ‘the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.’”
“The NNPCL also reportedly failed to account for over N204 billion (N204,853,744,047.39) ‘being unjustified deductions from the oil royalties for 2021.’ The ‘money was due to Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) now Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).’
“The Auditor-General fears ‘the money may have been diverted.’ He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.
“The NNPCL also reportedly failed to account for over N3.7 billion (N3,748,581,281.27) ‘being money purportedly paid to a Company as a shortfall on sales of MT cargo of PMS.’ The Auditor-General fears the money may be missing. He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.”
“The NNPCL also reportedly failed to account for over N28 billion (N28,654,179,867.00) ‘being outstanding bridging allowance from NNPC retail for 2021.’”
“The NNPCL failed to account for over N13.5 billion (N13,5559,658,148.91) ‘being outstanding bridging allowance claims from three major oil marketers in 2021.’”
“The Auditor-General is concerned that this ‘may have resulted in difficulty in funding the 2021 budget.’ He wants ‘the money recovered from both the NNPC retail and the major oil marketers and remitted to the Federation Account.’
“The NNPCL also reportedly failed to account for over N15 billion (N14,134,947,949.80 and N1,087,533,332.62) ‘being outstanding revenues from debts owed by 26 marketers for 2021.’ The Auditor-General wants ‘the money recovered from the oil marketers and remitted to the Federation Account.’”
“The NNPCL reportedly failed to account for over $29.6 million ($29,648,970.36) ‘being outstanding royalties payable to the Department of Petroleum Resources CBN account.’ The Auditor-General is concerned this ‘may have resulted in difficulty in funding the 2021 budget.’ He wants the money recovered.’
“The NNPCL failed to collect over $2 billion ($2,260,448,992.45) ‘being outstanding oil royalties from oil companies for 2021’, and failed to collect over N48 billion (N48,218,163,192.67) ‘also being outstanding oil royalties from oil companies.’
“The Auditor-General fears that ‘the money may be missing.’ He is concerned that this ‘may have resulted in difficulty in funding the 2021 budget.’ He wants ‘the money recovered from the oil companies and remitted to the Federation Account.’”
“SERAP notes that Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) requires public institutions to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.
“The Auditor-General has for many years documented reports of disappearance of public funds from the NNPC. Nigerians continue to bear the brunt of these missing public funds meant for refinery rehabilitation.”
Illegal gold mining operations along the Likangala River in Malawi are raising environmental and health concerns among local residents, who report increased water pollution and ecosystem damage in Zomba District
Miners digging and searching for gold
Thokoza Chipande of Namalaka village says miners have created dam-like structures that cause water stagnation, potentially increasing mosquito breeding grounds and malaria risks.
The activity has also led to deforestation along the riverbank.
“We saw people collecting equipment from the miners saying they had banned the mining, but a few days later the miners started again digging the river,” Chipande said, referring to a failed enforcement attempt by alleged city officials last year.
Zomba City Council spokesman, Aubrey Mthyola Moses, confirmed the council hadn’t issued any mining licenses, noting such authority rests with the Ministry of Mining.
“We are engaging them through community development structures,” Moses said.
“This poses a threat to the environment.”
Despite environmental concerns, some miners defend their activities.
“I am just doing what is right for my family and me even though we are damaging the environment,” said Chrispin Chipengule, who earns K5,000 daily from mining.
“We receive payment whether we find gold or not.”
The situation is particularly concerning as the Likangala River is known for severe flooding during rainy seasons, and environmental degradation could worsen these risks.
The Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria has explained reasons for the upsurge in the price of onions and scarcity of the produce in the country.
Bags of onions
National President of the Association, Mr. Aliyu Isah, gave the reasons in an interview on Sunday, January 5, 2025, in Lagos.
Nigeria witnessed a soaring rise in the price of onions from the fourth quarter of 2024 with a bag selling between N250,000 and N270,000 as against N70,000 and N90,000 per bag in previous months.
While a medium-sized bulb of the produce sells at N500 as against N50 per bulb.
Isah said that the reasons for the hike in onion price were multifaceted, leading to low production of the produce.
“What caused the scarcity and high cost of onions from the last quarter of 2024 till now is as a result of the flooding.
“The flooding of 2024 that ravaged all our onion farms, from the producing bed of Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, up to Adamawa states resulted in the scarcity of the produce.
“We also had the problem affecting onion production with the release of water from dams from the northern states.
In Sokoto, the water was released from Goroyo Dam, when it got to a certain level it affected the onion beds from Sokoto, Kebbi and up to Zamfara states.
“Also, we had the breakage of dams in Borno State which destroyed our onion farmlands,” Aliyu said.
He also blamed climate change effects resulting in extended rainfall and disease outbreak on onion farms as another reason for the price surge.
“The second issue affecting scarcity and the high cost of onions is that we experienced an extended and high level of rainfall up north in 2024.
“So, the high amount of rainfall resulted in high humidity which resulted in disease outbreak popularly called Downy Mildew, which destroyed most of our onion farms at various stages of cultivation.
“Some onions farms were affected at seedling stage, some at nursery stage, some when we were even about to harvest the onion,” the association president said.
He added that the unavailability of the produce due to lack of improved onion seedlings contributed to the development.
“The third is the issue of unavailability of the produce due to lack of improved onion seedlings. The factors of flooding and climate change has affected and disrupted our local seed production system.
“We do have not sufficient and quality onion seedlings, so we now rely on hybrid seed that we import from foreign countries.
“The issue of flooding really affected onion seed production so local farmers could not get enough seed to buy. This situation also resulted in the unavailability of onions. From the fourth quarter of 2024, and our farmers with their money, they could not see seed to buy.
“This also culminated to a serious problem where some unpatriotic Nigeria imported adulterated onion seed into the country and now our farmers are counting their losses because they planted a seed that cannot produce a bulb,” he said.
Aliyu lamented that lack of storage facilities and technology of the produce at harvests contributed to the surge in its price.
“Another contributory factor to scarcity and price surge of onions is post-harvest losses.
“That even when we harvest enough during the season because we lack improved technology of onion storage, we are being faced with more than 50 per cent post-harvest losses.
“This is to say that more than half of what we produce, we lose it after harvest. So, all these are part of the problem that is making the onions to be expensive,” Aliyu said.
Aliyu said the association was working with the Federal Government on ways to boost production and tackle the surge in the price of onions.
The Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) have signed an agreement formalising Uzbekistan’s offer to host the 20th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the CITES (CITES COP20).
Mr. Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan (left), sign the CITES COP20 host country agreement alongside Ms. Ivonne Higuero, CITES Secretary-General, in the presence of Mr. Juan Carlos Navarro, Minister of Environment of Panama, which was the host of CITES COP19 in 2022
The signing took place on October 29, 2024, at the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16) in Cali, Colombia, underscoring the interconnectedness of global efforts to conserve the planet’s biodiversity.
Mr. Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, signed the Host Country Agreement on behalf of the Uzbek government. In the presence of Mr. Juan Carlos Navarro, Minister of Environment of Panama, which was the host of CITES COP19 in 2022, CITES Secretary-General, Ms. Ivonne Higuero, signed the Agreement on behalf of the Secretariat.
Minister Abdukhakimov said: “Signing the Host Country Agreement during CBD COP16 emphasizes the importance of collaboration in tackling biodiversity loss and illegal wildlife trade. We are excited to welcome the international community to Samarkand for COP20 in 2025, where we will unite our efforts in safeguarding our planet’s rich biological heritage.”
In handing over the role of hosting the CITES COP from Panama to Uzbekistan, Minister Navarro remarked, “as we pass our host country flag, I am confident that Uzbekistan will enjoy hosting CITES COP20 as much as we have for COP19. This is not only because of the importance of regulating wildlife trade, but also because CITES COP is a highly technical meeting. It ensures that CITES decision-making is scientifically based and has a tangible impact on our economies and societies.”
CITES Secretary-General Higuero said: “We extend our gratitude to the Republic of Uzbekistan for their generous and timely offer to host CITES COP20 in beautiful Samarkand. Hosting CITES COP20 in this ancient city brings both a sense of history and a vision of the future – a future of Peace with Nature, in which international trade in wild species is well-regulated, the challenges associated with wildlife crime are significantly diminished and CITES-listed species are able to thrive in nature.”
With the signing, Uzbekistan will officially host the gathering of the 184 Parties to CITES and the wide array of wildlife conservation and trade stakeholders in Samarkand in 2025. A CITES Party since 1997, Uzbekistan is home to numerous species listed in the CITES Appendices, including the snow leopard, the saiga antelope and medicinal plants. By bringing this global conference on wildlife trade to Samarkand, Uzbekistan is demonstrating its commitment to international cooperation and the future of wild fauna and flora species.
CITES COP20 provides the opportunity for CITES Parties to engage in vital discussions regarding the sustainability, legality and traceability of international wildlife trade, species conservation, and sustainable resource management. Every two to three years, the Conference of the Parties meets to review the implementation of the Convention, providing the occasion for CITES Parties to:
review progress in the conservation of species included in the Appendices;
consider (and where appropriate adopt) proposals to amend the lists of species in Appendices I and II;
consider discussion documents and reports from the Parties, the permanent committees, the Secretariat and working groups;
recommend measures to improve the effectiveness of the Convention; and
make provisions (including the adoption of a budget) necessary to allow the Secretariat to function effectively.
In addition to being the 20th CITES COP meeting, the 2025 gathering will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Convention’s entry into force in 1975.
A former governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, alongside other prominent persons, has proffered solution to the dearth of arable land in the state.
Emeka Ihedioha, Ex governor of Imo State
They spoke on Friday, January 3, at the Mbaise Policy Roundtable (MPR) 2025 Annual Global Summit held at Ahiara, Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area.
Ihedioha’s presentation was themed: “From Farm to Fortune, Tech to Cash: Leveraging Acquired Agriculture and Digital Skills for Financial Success and Development of Mbaise.”
He advised farmers in Mbaise and Imo in general to farm in clusters, conduct soil tests to ascertain the best crops for each soil type, and collectively fight challenges, while remaining disciplined, self-reliant and patient.
“We have a big problem of land availability for farming, which will take us time to deal with, but we must remain committed to touching the lives of the downtrodden through communal efforts, such as farming.
“The sole responsibility of a government is the welfare of the people, and that welfare is embedded in the policies and programmes of the government.
“I will enjoin you to take part in successful ventures and be productive, accept that you want to be a successful farmer and take the necessary steps to achieve that by being dedicated and committed,” Ihedioha said.
The Convener of the summit, Prof. Edward Oparaoji, said that the programme was anchored on appraising interventions of MPR and its success stories.
Oparaoji described the MPR as a “sustainable programme that is making tremendous impact in the development of Mbaise in the areas of agriculture and allied businesses”.
He urged participants at the summit to endeavour to acquire vocational skills, especially in agriculture, to make ends meet, no matter their level of education.
Also speaking, the President-General of Ezuruezu Mbaise, a sociocultural group of the Mbaise people, Mr Joe Anosikeh, lauded the empowerment initiative of the summit.
Anosike, a surveyor, charged participants to embrace Information Communication Technology and agribusiness, among other ventures, to succeed.
An agribusiness expert, Miss Ngozi Okechukwu, also spoke on agribusiness value chain development and accessing farmers’ resources.
Okechukwu identified finance, marketing, adequate infrastructure, and sound policies as key to sustainable individual and collective prosperity.
She, however, recommended the promotion of public private partnerships, self-help cluster farming, and an innovative farming model aimed at identifying and addressing farmers’ financial and marketing challenges to ensure sufficient food production and security.
The Borno State Government has announced plans to subsidise fuel at N600 per litre to 5,000 farmers in communities hit by Boko Haram insurgents in the state.
Gov. Babagana Zulum presenting pumping machine to farmer and supported by Shehu of Bama, Dr Umar Elkanemi in Bama town on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025
Gov. Babagana Zulum announced this during the flag-off of distribution of farm inputs to prospective farmers resettled by his administration in Bama and environs on Friday, January 3, 2025.
Bama was among the areas overrun by Boko Haram insurgents in 2014 but was liberated by the Nigerian military in March 2015.
The governor was on a two-day tour of the Local Government Area to facilitate the resettlement of people displaced from Bama and environs due to insurgency.
Zulum had earlier visited Abbaram town, a village located in the Eastern part of Kur Mohammed military barracks, where his administration plans to construct 1,000 shelters for the returnees.
He also visited Darajamal to assess the destruction caused by Boko Haram insurgents there.
Speaking after the visitation, the governor said that one of the major challenges facing irrigation farmers in the area was the rising cost of petrol.
“As a result, I want to announce to the general public that the state government will procure petroleum products and sell to the farmers at a subsidised rate.
“Currently petrol is being sold in Maiduguri at N1,200 per litre but inshaa Allah (God willing), henceforth for irrigation farmers this season a litre of petrol will be sold at N600.
“The Commissioner for Agriculture will work with the Brigade Commander to ensure the delivery of the petroleum products to farmers in Bama town as soon as possible,” Zulum said.
According to him, the planned fuel subsidy was designed to cushion the effects of high cost of farming activities.
He said there was the need to support the vulnerable in an effort to fully reintegrate them into the society without any form of discrimination.
The governor also gave 2,000 bags of NPK fertiliser, 1,000 units of water pumps, and 620 units of gasoline pumps to the farmers for free.
The governor also distributed 380 units of solar water pumps, 1,000 units of sprayers, 800 rolls of 2-inch flexible hose, and 1,000 litres of pesticide and seedlings to the farmers.
He said that the incentives would propel Agricultural productivity and prepare the farmers to be employers of labour in the near future.
Earlier, the Shehu of Bama, Dr Umar Elkanemi, thanked the governor for the love and care he has been showing to the people of Bama in particular and the Borno people in general.
He assured the governor that his laudable investments in Bama and the surrounding communities would not be in vain.
Zulum was accompanied by the Senator representing Borno Central, Sen. Kaka Lawan, and members of the House of Representatives from the area.
Legal experts with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) argued at the recently held International Court of Justice (ICJ) climate hearings that States have binding legal obligations to protect the climate system.
The ICJ heard testimony from dozens of States and organisations within a two-week period. Photo credit: ICJ
These obligations are found in global climate change treaties, but also in other treaties, such as those on human rights, biodiversity, and the Law of the Sea, as well as in customary international law.
States should be held accountable if they breach any of these obligations, the experts stated.
“Every State has the obligation under international law to do its utmost to reduce greenhouse gas emissions aligned with holding warming to 1.5 degrees, to limit any overshoot as much as possible, and to reverse it,” argued Prof Christina Voigt, Chair of the IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law, to the Court.
IUCN’s arguments were presented on the final day of oral hearings in the landmark proceedings on December 13, 2024, before the ICJ regarding State obligations under international law to protect the climate system from greenhouse gas emissions, and the legal consequences they may face for causing significant harm to the climate system and other parts of the environment.
In 2023, the UN General Assembly asked the ICJ – the UN’s highest judicial body, known as the World Court – to issue an Advisory Opinion on the legal responsibilities States have to protect the environment and address climate change, marking the first time the Court has dealt with the issue. Almost 100 States and 12 international organisations have taken part in the historic proceedings, which included written briefs and submissions over many months and oral arguments that took place over two weeks in December 2024 in The Hague.
IUCN’s participation in the case is notable because, as a union, it represents both State and non-State members, underscoring its unique position as a bridge between governments and civil society. It also draws upon the extensive legal and scientific knowledge from its more than 17,000 experts in 170 countries, especially those of the IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law, adding significant weight to its arguments to the Court.
During the oral proceedings in The Hague, IUCN was represented by Director General Dr Grethel Aguilar Rojas; Prof Voigt; and Prof Francesco Sindico, Co-chair of the Commission’s Climate Change Law Specialist Group.
“This Advisory Opinion is pivotal in clarifying international law, shaping future climate action, and addressing the global climate crisis in a manner that is equitable, effective and enforceable,” said Dr Aguilar during her intervention.
“(The Court’s) opinion matters to those that are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, be it States that are fighting to protect their peoples and territories, vulnerable communities, indigenous peoples, migrants, women, and children – and of course the natural world. Your opinion will send a powerful message to States and other actors responsible for greenhouse gas emissions, emphasising the urgent need for deep, rapid, and sustained reductions aligned with 1.5°C pathways,” she added.
According to Prof Voigt, States’ obligations to address climate change come from independent and cumulative international legal sources, including the 2015 Paris Agreement, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, international human rights treaties, and customary international law.
Under the Paris Agreement, she told the Court, States have several obligations, including submitting and adhering to nationally determined contributions – individual country-level goals – to help meet the goal of holding warming to 1.5 degrees. They are also obligated under customary international law to not harm the environment of other States, and are held by international human rights treaties to take positive action on mitigation and adaptation to climate change.
In his contribution, Prof Sindico told the Court that States should be held accountable if they breach treaty based and customary law States’ obligations to address climate change. In particular, States would face the duty of having to perform the obligation they have breached and cease any further breaches.
“In a climate change context, the State would need to implement and effectively enforce the necessary measures to fulfil its climate obligations. The State would also need to offer appropriate assurances and guarantees that it will not breach those obligations again and would have to make full reparation for the injury in the form of restitution, compensation and/or satisfaction,” he said.
The ICJ is set to deliver its Advisory Opinion in 2025. Though not legally binding, it will carry significant weight, sending a powerful call for stronger accountability, enhanced cooperation, and a shared commitment to building a sustainable future.
From the highland steppe to the coral reefs, wild animals and plants hold intrinsic value. As essential parts of Earth’s intricate web of life, they sustain ecosystems, regulate natural processes, and support biodiversity.
With more than 1 million species now estimated to be threatened with extinction amid the intensifying triple planetary crisis, innovative finance for wildlife conservation has never been more urgent. Over half of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP) is dependent on nature, making biodiversity loss an increasing threat to financial stability and livelihoods.
Building on the collaborative spirit of previous World Wildlife Day celebrations, World Wildlife Day 2025 (WWD2025) events will serve as a platform for exchanging ideas, showcasing solutions and advancing the conversation on how innovative finance can contribute to halting biodiversity loss, raising the interest of private sector stakeholders to invest in wildlife conservation, and creating a sustainable future.
CITES Secretary-General, Ivonne Higuero, said: “We have a responsibility to unlock the power and agility of the finance sector and mainstream nature-positive considerations in the spheres of investment. Wildlife conservation finance is about conserving plant and animal species in the wild and contributing to the conservation of our planet’s biodiversity that sustains all ecosystems and communities worldwide.”
Showcase inspirational stories and solutions, as well as key actors and leaders, in wildlife conservation finance through various media (e.g., film, photography, art, etc.)
Provide a knowledge base for stakeholders, including youth, civil society, national governments, and relevant UN agencies, to access data and insights on innovative finance
Bring together diverse stakeholders from governments, financial institutions, businesses, and civil society to exchange and explore innovative financing mechanisms that mobilize resources for wildlife conservation
Foster collaboration among different stakeholders and sectors in bridging wildlife conservation funding gaps.
Leading up to the high-level United Nations event for World Wildlife Day 2025 on Monday, March 3, 2025, the online celebration activities will include the annual Jackson Wild Film Showcase and IFAW Youth Art Contest.
In line with the UN General Assembly Resolution proclaiming World Wildlife Day, the CITES Secretariat has called on all member States and organisations of the United Nations system and other global, regional and sub-regional organisations, non-governmental organisations and all interested individuals, to:
observe and raise awareness of the theme for World Wildlife Day 2025;
organise local World Wildlife Day celebrations in accordance with the 2025 theme;
involve indigenous peoples, local communities and youth with experience and knowledge in wildlife conservation and trade in all World Wildlife Day 2025 events and celebrations;
make use of the World Wildlife Day logos and 2025 outreach material (coming soon) as widely as possible.
