The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has called on all its members nationwide to patronise the Dangote Refinery in their purchase of PMS products, noting that the refinery already offers the best affordable price for all marketers, even as free delivery commences in January 2026.
The association also expressed delight over a recent agreement by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to begin the supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) – also known as petroleum – products directly to registered IPMAN members, in a statement signed and issued by the IPMAN National President, Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi Shettima.
IPMAN National President, Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi Shettima
At a press conference held in Abuja on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, on recent happenings in the oil & gas sector, IPMAN also applauded the support of the Chairman of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Aliko Dangote, towards the Federal Government, which it noted has become evident in the regular reduction of the petroleum pump price.
According to Shettima, “the association has the highest percentage of the supply chain of the PMS downstream sector, controlling over 80% of the PMS retail market. We therefore declare that there will be no gap or scarcity in PMS supply to Nigerians.
“We are also excited at the recent agreement by the Dangote Refinery to begin the supply of PMS products directly to registered IPMAN members, and its free delivery to our filling stations anywhere and everywhere in Nigeria which will commence in January 2026.
“This will again, certainly lead to further decrease in the pump price of the products at our filing stations. Therefore, I am calling on all IPMAN members nationwide to prioritise patronising the Dangote Refinery in their purchase of PMS products, as they already offer the best affordable prize for all marketers today”, the statement added.
The IPMAN boss noted that “At IPMAN we have no doubt as to the viability of the oil and gas policies being initiated by the Federal Government, and we have ceaselessly called and sought for enhanced cooperation across all levels of governance in the oil and gas sector. Hence our repeated persuasion to always partner the Dangote refinery, to ensure the steady availability of PMS products.
“The focus of the Dangote & IPMAN partnership, has always been geared towards making life better for Nigerians. And of course, this blooming partnership would never have been possible without the pragmatic leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and his sound judgment in readjusting the leadership of the NMDPRA and the NUPRC.
Our position has always been to deepen domestic refining in order to eradicate imports of petroleum products. Continuous import is NOT an acceptable parallel business model, because issuing import licenses recklessly distorts market dynamics, drains foreign exchange, enthrones poverty, destroys jobs, and scares potential investors away,” Shettima added.
The association congratulated the new heads of the oil & gas regulatory bodies and reminded them of the long outstanding bridging claims owed its members totalling over N190 billion. “We specifically call on the NMPDRA new leadership to immediately make this debt a cause for serious concern as he assumes his new position”, the statement added.
In 2025, transparency under the Paris Agreement became firmly embedded in climate action across Parties and non-Party stakeholders.
The year marked the completion of the first Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) cycle for an initial set of Parties, including the submission of their first Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs), followed by Technical Expert Reviews (TERs) and the Facilitative Multilateral Consideration of Progress (FMCP).
Together, these milestones confirm transparency as a core driver of implementation, grounding climate action in clear and credible climate data.
Transparency under the Paris Agreement. Photo credit: Zô Guimarães / UN Climate Change
Political momentum and global milestones
At the Global Transparency Forum, hosted in September by the Government of the Republic of Korea, countries underscored the growing recognition of transparency as a vital enabling tool, beyond its technical and reporting dimensions.
That message was reinforced at the COP30 High-Level Ministerial Dialogue on Transparency, convened with the COP29 and COP30 Presidencies, where Ministers and Heads of Delegation highlighted transparency as the foundation of trust and effective multilateralism.
A major milestone in 2025 was the release of the first BTR Synthesis Report, which shows that Parties having submitted their first BTRs have taken tangible steps to meet their climate commitments – from establishing new legal and institutional systems to track emissions and adapt to climate impacts, to mobilising finance for resilience and clean energy transitions. These measures are strengthening countries’ capacity to design and implement more ambitious climate plans.
“More nations now have climate plans covering their entire economies, linked to long-term net-zero goals, and integrating adaptation, gender equality, and just transitions. This is how climate cooperation works: progress measured, transparency strengthened, impact deepened,” said UN Climate Change Executive-Secretary, Simon Stiell, at COP30.
This year countries also agreed to continue the term of the Consultative Group of Experts (CGE) indefinitely as a constituted body. The CGE remains the main channel for technical assistance and support to developing countries in meeting their reporting requirements, including preparing national communications, BTRs, and engaging in TERs – reinforcing long-term support for transparency implementation.
Moreover, at COP30, UN Climate Change and China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment signed a Letter of Intent to strengthen collaboration with developing countries to support implementation of the Convention and the Paris Agreement, with a focus on transparency through capacity-building and South-South cooperation.
Learning and improvement
The submission of 120 BTRs over the last year represents a major milestone in implementing the Paris Agreement’s ETF. But transparency does not end with submissions.
The completion of the first ETF cycle marks the start of an ongoing process of review, learning, and continuous improvement. As highlighted in the first TER Annual Report, Parties and technical experts have identified both successes and challenges, offering clear insights into where additional support and improvements are needed.
Expanding transparency beyond governments
At COP30, UN Climate Change officially launched the Climate Data Hub, developed in partnership with Microsoft, EY and NEDAMCO Africa. This platform brings together information submitted by Parties under the Convention in one accessible space – providing all users with a reliable source of information, and making climate data easier to find, use and understand.
The Non-State Actor Zone for Climate Action (NAZCA) portal is also entering a new phase. During a high-level session at COP30 in Belém, UN Climate Change presented the NAZCA Redevelopment and Engagement Roadmap, outlining plans for a modern, data-driven platform that strengthens the role of the UNFCCC secretariat as the custodian of credible climate action data from non-Party stakeholders. The redeveloped NAZCA will consolidate information on mitigation, adaptation, resilience, and means of implementation.
Throughout 2025, the UN Climate Change #Together4Transparency initiative strengthened partnerships with non-Party stakeholders. A collaboration with CDP resulted in the report Data as the Catalyst, highlighting how corporate and subnational data can track progress on national climate plans (NDCs) and unlock climate finance.
In addition, a joint case study, Unlocking Climate Finance through Transparency, was developed with the Centre for Clean Air Policy, featuring Panama’s National Climate Transparency Platform and showcasing how transparency can serve as a strategic tool to mobilize public and private finance.
As implementation continues, transparency remains central to strengthening ambition, guiding support, and delivering climate action under the Paris Agreement.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has validated Brazil for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV, making it the most populous country in the Americas to achieve this historic milestone.
This accomplishment, according to the UN body, reflects Brazil’s long-standing commitment to universal and free access to health services through its Unified Health System (SUS), anchored in a strong primary health-care system and respect for human rights.
Lula da Silva, President of Brazil
“Eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV is a major public health achievement for any country, especially for a country as large and complex as Brazil,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Brazil has shown that with sustained political commitment and equitable access to quality health services, every country can ensure that every child is born free of HIV and every mother receives the care she deserves.”
The milestone was marked during a ceremony in Brasília, attended by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Brazil’s Minister of HealthAlexandre Padilha, and the Director of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Dr Jarbas Barbosa, along with representatives from UNAIDS.
Meeting validation criteria
Brazil met all the criteria for EMTCT validation, including reducing vertical transmission of HIV to below 2% and achieving over 95% coverage for prenatal care, routine HIV testing, and timely treatment for pregnant women living with HIV. In addition to meeting the targets of the validation, Brazil demonstrated the delivery of quality services for mothers and their infants, robust data and laboratory systems, and a strong commitment to human rights, gender equality and community engagement.
The country implemented a progressive, subnational approach by first certifying states and municipalities with over 100,000 inhabitants, adapting the PAHO/WHO validation methodology to its national context while maintaining coherence across the country.
The evaluation, supported by PAHO, was conducted by independent experts who reviewed data, documentation, and health facility operations. Findings were then assessed by WHO’s Global Validation Advisory Committee, which formally recommended Brazil’s validation for elimination.
“This achievement shows that eliminating vertical transmission of HIV is possible when pregnant women know their HIV status, receive timely treatment, and have access to maternal health services and safe delivery,” said Dr Jarbas Barbosa, Director of PAHO. “It is also the result of the tireless dedication of thousands of health professionals, community health workers, and civil society organisations. Every day, they sustain the continuity of care, identify obstacles, and work to overcome them, ensuring that even the most vulnerable populations can access essential health services.”
Part of a broader initiative
Over the past decade (2015-2024), more than 50,000 pediatric HIV infections have been averted in the Region of the Americas as a result of the implementation of the initiative to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
Brazil’s success is part of the broader EMTCT Plus Initiative, which seeks to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B, and congenital Chagas, in collaboration with UNICEF and UNAIDS. It is embedded within PAHO’s Elimination Initiative, a regional effort to eliminate more than 30 communicable diseases and related conditions in the Americas by 2030.
“I am delighted that Brazil has just been certified by WHO/PAHO for eliminating vertical transmission – the first country of more than 100 million people to do so,” said Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS Executive Director. “And they did it by doing what we know works –prioritising universal health care, tackling the social determinants that drive the epidemic, protecting human rights, and even – when necessary – breaking monopolies to secure access to medicines.”
Global context
Brazil is one of 19 countries and territories worldwide that have been validated by WHO for EMTCT. Twelve of these are in the Region of the Americas. In 2015, Cuba became the first country in the world to be validated for EMTCT of HIV and the elimination of congenital syphilis.
Other countries in the Region include Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, and Saint Kitts and Nevis in 2017; Dominica in 2020; Belize in 2023; and Jamaica and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in 2024.
Outside the Americas, countries validated for EMTCT of HIV include Armenia, Belarus, Malaysia, Maldives, Oman, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to achieving improved performance in its 2026 validation under the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).
NEITI gave the assurance on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, in Abuja at the opening of its Advocacy Dialogue for Stakeholders on Nigeria’s 2026 EITI Validation, organised with support of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) programme.
EITI Validation is the quality assurance process, an impartial assessment to check if a country’s implementation of the EITI Standard on improved governance and transparency in oil, gas, and mining is effective, driving learning and accountability.
Sen. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman, NEITI National Stakeholders Working Group (NSWG)
Speaking at the event, Sen. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman, NEITI National Stakeholders Working Group (NSWG), said the dialogue was paramount as Nigeria grappled with complex economic reforms.
Akume, represented by Mr. Dele Ayanleke, National President, Miners Association of Nigeria, said the dialogue was coming at a critical moment as Nigeria was navigating fiscal pressures and rising public expectations for accountability in the management of natural resources.
“The extractive sector remains central to Nigeria’s economic stability, revenue mobilisation and long-term development aspirations.
“Yet governance gaps, inefficiencies and transparency deficits have historically limited its full potential,” Akume said.
He said that findings and recommendations from NEITI reports had become important tools driving ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s oil, gas and mining sectors.
He said that the 2023 EITI Standard required countries to go beyond disclosure and use transparency to deliver real reforms and tangible benefits to citizens.
“For Nigeria, this means moving beyound compliance and deploying EITI as a reform instrument to support domestic revenue mobilisation, prudent fiscal management and inclusive governance,” he said.
He also acknowledged the support of development partners, particularly the European Union-International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (EU-IDEA) Programme and the EITI International Secretariat, for their continued collaboration in deepening transparency reforms.
In his remarks, Musa Sarkin-Adar, Executive Secretary, NEITI, said Nigeria was determined to improve on its 2023 EITI Validation score of 72 out of 100 points.
Sarkin-Adar, represented by Dieter Bassi, Director, Policy, Planning and Strategy, NEITI, said that the EITI had evolved into an outcome-driven credibility test focused on demonstrable reforms and measurable impact on governance.
“The EITI is no longer a narrow checklist. It now demands meaningful stakeholder engagement and tangible reforms that strengthen national governance.
“Nigeria’s next assessment would be conducted using the EITI 2023 Standard, which places strong emphasis on the independent and effective participation of civil society organisations, the media and sub-national actors.
“Nigeria’s 2023 Validation identified gaps requiring urgent action, including strengthening multi-stakeholder engagement, providing structured and safe spaces for civil society participation, improving access to extractive sector data and clearly demonstrating how EITI implementation drives policy and sector reforms.
“NEITI had initiated corrective actions, EITI implementation remained a shared responsibility among government, companies and civil society,” the executive secretary said.
He outlined the dialogue’s objectives to include reviewing progress on corrective actions, identifying outstanding gaps, developing an implementable framework to address challenges and strengthening the role of non-state and sub-national actors in extractive sector governance.
The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the NEITI’s latest Policy Brief titled “Beyond Assent: Pathways for Implementing Nigeria’s New Tax and Revenue Framework” by the NEITI Executive Secretary.
The policy brief aimed at bridging the gap between the passage of tax laws and effective implementation.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has renewed its commitment to confront the interconnected challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
The federal government made the commitment at the closing of the 18th National Council on Environment (NCE) meeting, hosted by the Federal Ministry of Environment in Katsina State.
The three-day meeting, which held at the Katsina State Secretariat, brought together commissioners, environmental experts, policymakers, and development partners from across the country.
Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal
With the theme “Tackling the Triple Planetary Crises of Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss, and Pollution for Sustainable Development in Nigeria,” the council meeting served as a high-level platform for discussions on strengthening environmental governance and promoting sustainable development nationwide.
Speaking, Malam Balarabe Lawal, Minister of Environment, described the theme as timely and imperative.
“This is collectively known as the triple planetary crisis recognised as critical to Nigeria’s sustainable development, economic resilience, and environmental security.
Lawal warned that rising temperatures, desertification, flooding, pollution, and ecosystem degradation are already undermining livelihoods across the country, stressing that the crises are deeply interlinked and require an integrated, science-driven, and multi-sectoral response.
The minister commended Katsina State for its exemplary leadership in climate governance, noting its second place ranking in the 2025 Subnational Climate Governance Performance Ranking.
He highlighted the state’s Green Economy Roadmap, which prioritises renewable energy, dryland agriculture, eco-tourism, waste-to-energy solutions, and climate-smart development, alongside plans to establish a Green Investment Fund and implement a 2025 to 2030 Climate Action Plan.
He urged other states to replicate Katsina’s approach in transforming challenges such as desertification and soil degradation into opportunities for economic growth and job creation.
Lawal cited ongoing national initiatives including the Nigeria Energy Transition Plan, the Great Green Wall Programme, the National Policy on Plastic Waste Management, and renewable energy and clean cooking policies.
He also called for innovative financing mechanisms such as public-private partnerships, green bonds, climate funds, and carbon markets,
The minister urged stronger private-sector engagement, identifying corporate actors such as the Dangote Group and Nigeria Bottling Company as potential partners in environmental restoration and sustainability efforts.
Earlier, Gov. Dikko Radda, reaffirmed the state’s strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
Radda, who was represented by Malam Faruk Jobe, the Deputy Governor, highlighted the government’s early approval of funding and sustained support that ensured the successful hosting of the Council.
He described the NCE as a vital platform for policy harmonisation, collaboration, and coordinated action in addressing Nigeria’s pressing environmental challenges.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Thursday, December 18, 2025, destroyed 618 tonnes of fake, counterfeit, substandard, expired and unwholesome regulated products worth over N10.19 billion in Kano.
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, made this known during the burning exercise in Kano.
She said the exercise marked a major milestone in Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding public health.
The destruction of substandard products in Kano
Adeyeye, who was represented by the NAFDAC Director, North-West Zone, Mr. Fraden Nantim-Mullah, said the destruction was not merely an enforcement action, but a clear statement that the era of impunity for those endangering lives through fake and dangerous products is ending.
She explained that NAFDAC, established under Act Cap N1, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, was empowered to regulate and control foods, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals and related products to ensure their safety, quality and efficacy.
“Our mandate is unequivocal: to ensure that every regulated product available to Nigerians meets stringent standards of safety and quality.
“Today’s exercise demonstrates our unwavering commitment to executing this mandate without compromise,” Adeyeye said.
The NAFDAC boss warned manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers involved in the production and sale of counterfeit and substandard products that the agency’s surveillance and enforcement mechanisms were robust and that offenders would face legal consequences.
According to her, the products destroyed were seized from unscrupulous operators across the pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic and chemical sectors.
She listed the destroyed items to include counterfeit medicines such as antibiotics, anti-malarials, antihypertensives, analgesics, herbal remedies and controlled psychoactive substances.
Other items included adulterated vegetable oils, contaminated beverages, unsafe sachet water, substandard condiments and falsified tomato paste, as well as hazardous cosmetic products containing dangerous chemical compounds.
Adeyeye said fake agrochemicals, including insecticides and pesticides that threatened food security, and counterfeit medical devices such as diagnostic kits and compromised infusion equipment were also destroyed.
“Each of these categories represents a deliberate assault on public health. Those involved are not just breaking regulations; they are endangering lives and undermining Nigeria’s health security,” she said.
Adeyeye also highlighted Nigeria’s recent attainment of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Maturity Level 3 status, describing it as evidence of a stable and well-functioning regulatory system.
She said the agency was working towards achieving WHO Maturity Level 4 status, which would position NAFDAC as a world-class regulatory authority, with the support of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
On the economic benefits of quality assurance, Adeyeye said removing substandard and falsified products from circulation would reduce healthcare costs, improve productivity and enhance national economic growth.
She acknowledged the support of stakeholders, including compliant pharmaceutical companies that surrendered expired products and the Nigeria Customs Service, Kano/Jigawa Command.
She listed other critical stakeholders as the Nigeria Police Force, the Kano State Government, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), the National Association of Proprietary and Patent Medicine Dealers (NAPPMED), NGOs and trade unions.
Adeyeye reiterated the agency’s zero-tolerance policy towards regulatory violations.
“The citizens must exercise vigilance, refuse to purchase medicines from unlicensed hawkers and street vendors; report suspicious products through NAFDAC’s reporting mechanisms,” she warned.
Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State, represented by the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, State Ministry of Health, Mr. Kamilu Yakasai, commended NAFDAC for the exercise.
He said the destruction of seized and expired products was necessary to prevent them from re-entering society and causing harm to unsuspecting citizens and assured that the Kano State Government would continue to support such initiatives.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the state government to collaborating with NAFDAC to protect public health and improve healthcare delivery.
Representatives of the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Police Force, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Department of State Services (DSS) and other stakeholders were present at the destruction exercise.
Similarly, the Lagos State of NAFDAC on Thursday began the destruction of unwholesome, banned, expired, fake and substandard products worth N55.4 billion in Ibadan.
The exercise took place at the Moniya dumpsite in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Speaking during the exercise, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Christiana Adeyeye, said the products destroyed included damaged and expired items.
She added that the items were voluntarily handed over to the agency by no fewer than seventy compliant companies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and trade unions.
Adeyeye was represented by Mrs Florence Uba, the agency’s Deputy Director, Pharmaceutical Division, Investigation and Enforcement, Apapa, Lagos.
According to her, the estimated street value of the products destroyed is N55,436,844,470 (Fifty-five billion, four hundred thirty-six million, eight hundred forty-four thousand, four hundred seventy naira only).
She said the exercise aimed to prevent dangerous products from re-entering the market and causing public harm.
“The products destroyed included substandard and falsified medical products, unwholesome processed food products and food additives, unsafe cosmetics, and other expired items,” she added.
She stated that the agency seized the products from manufacturers, importers, and distributors.
“NAFDAC has been charged with the responsibility of safeguarding the health of the nation, and as such, it is committed to achieving its mandate,” she said.
Adeyeye urged community leaders, health professionals, religious figures, and journalists to educate the public on the dangers of patronising unlicensed drug sellers and unregistered pharmaceutical outlets.
NAFDAC also called for public participation in the fight against substandard products and urged Nigerians to report suspicious drug activities to help protect lives and strengthen the nation’s regulatory system.
She expressed gratitude to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Police, the Army, the Department of State Security Service (DSS), the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, and other stakeholders for supporting NAFDAC’s mission.
“Together, we can protect the health and safety of all Nigerians,” she said.
Greenpeace Africa, together with Magamba Network and partners in the Kick Polluters Out Network, have launched a new satirical video exposing TotalEnergies’ sponsorship of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as a deliberate attempt to greenwash its controversial environmental and human rights record across the continent.
A second satirical video produced by Journal Rappe, members of the Kick Polluters Out network, will be released on Friday, December 19, 2025, extending the campaign’s reach across Francophone Africa and reinforcing the call to end TotalEnergies’ greenwashing of African football.
TotalEnergies
These videos challenge TotalEnergies’ efforts to associate itself with African pride, culture, and football, while the company continues to expand fossil fuel projects that drive climate breakdown, displace communities, and undermine human rights from Mozambique to Tanzania, including through the controversial East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).
The English version features BAFTA-award-winning UK comedian, Jolyon Rubinstein, alongside Zimbabwean comedian, Munashe Chirisa. The film delivers a sharp and accessible critique of what campaigners describe as TotalEnergies’ neo-colonial business model, using humour to expose the gap between the company’s public image and the real impacts of its operations on African communities.
“It’s a disgrace that at a time where 99% of climate scientists could not be clearer that Africa is tipping into a climate catastrophe, a neo-colonial fossil fuel giant can greenwash their image through one of the world’s most beloved football tournaments. Let’s work together to show TotalEnergies the red card,” said Jolyon Rubinstein, one of the actors/creatives who worked on the AFCON video.”
Football should unite, not greenwash pollution
TotalEnergies’ continued sponsorship of AFCON comes as the company faces growing scrutiny over fossil fuel expansion, land grabs, and displacement of communities, as well as legal and regulatory actions linked to misleading climate claims and environmental harm. From mass displacement linked to oil and gas projects to accusations of deceptive greenwashing, critics argue that the company’s branding strategy seeks to distract from mounting evidence of harm.
“TotalEnergies isn’t sponsoring AFCON to support African football; they’re using the beauty of the game to hide the ugliness of their pollution,” said Trust, campaigner with Kick Polluters Out. “They only care about their image and profits. Greenwashing is their favourite tactic, and this pretend shift into renewables is just another PR stunt. AFCON is simply another chance for them to distract Africa from the destruction they cause across our continent.”
Greenpeace Africa, Magamba Network and the Kick Polluters Out movement stress that football, one of Africa’s most powerful cultural forces, must not be exploited to legitimise companies whose core business accelerates climate catastrophe and deepens inequality. Campaigners are urging the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to adopt fossil-free sponsorship policies, similar to how tobacco sponsorships were once removed from sport.
A Call to CAF and African institutions
The video launch forms part of a wider continental mobilisation calling on sports institutions, governments, and sponsors to put people and the planet before polluters’ profits.
As Africa faces worsening floods, droughts, and heatwaves as a result of the climate crisis, allowing polluters to wrap themselves in the symbols of our unity and joy in is unacceptable when they ultimately need to be held accountable,” Sherelee Odayar, Oil and Gas Campaigner at Greenpeace Africa, said. “AFCON should inspire hope, resilience and solidarity – not serve as a billboard for climate destruction.”
Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) have submitted proposals to add 42 new migratory species to the Convention’s appendices as needing international conservation. Due to its increasing population, one species – the Bukhara deer – is proposed to be removed from the list requiring the highest protection.
An environmental treaty of the United Nations, CMS convenes governments and stakeholders to address the conservation of migratory species and their habitats. The legally binding Convention has two appendices: Appendix I, which is aimed at species that are endangered, and the Appendix II, which is aimed at species that warrant international cooperation.
“As the pressures on our planet’s migratory species intensify, international commitment to take effective measures has never been more essential. The proposals to list 42 new species on the CMS appendices, including iconic animals like the snowy owl and the hammerhead shark, reflect the urgent need for coordinated global action. At COP15, governments have an opportunity to strengthen efforts to safeguard these species,” said Amy Fraenkel, CMS Executive Secretary.
From antelopes and whales to bats, birds and sea turtles, migratory species addressed by the Treaty are those species of wild animals that need to travel regularly, often seasonally, as part of their natural life cycles, and which cross at least one national border. They are vital for healthy, well-functioning ecosystems. They provide crucial services like pollination, seed dispersal, carbon storage and pest control, and benefit communities that rely on them as a source of food and income.
Yet many such species are in decline due to pressures including habitat loss and fragmentation, overexploitation, climate change and pollution.
Among the 42 species proposed for listing under the Convention, several illustrate the urgent challenges facing migratory wildlife. The striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena), for example, occupies a broad but increasingly fragmented range across Asia and Africa. With a global population estimated at fewer than 10,000 mature individuals, it is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation due to agriculture, urbanisation and infrastructure development; diminished prey caused by declines in other large carnivores and shifts in livestock practices; and illegal hunting and trade.
Widespread persecution, often stemming from human-wildlife conflict and negative perceptions, further endangers this vital scavenger, which helps recycle nutrients and prevent disease through carrion consumption.
Similarly, the snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus) has become widely recognised in recent years through popular culture, but its status is increasingly precarious. Over the past three decades, the species has lost a third of its global population; the international conservation organisation BirdLife International recently declared it extinct in Sweden.
As a top predator and an avian icon of the Arctic tundra, the snowy owl is a key indicator of the health of this fragile ecosystem. Climate change and overexploitation are among the primary drivers of its population decline, underscoring the species’ vulnerability despite its iconic status.
Marine species also face grave risks, as seen in the plight of the great hammerhead shark (Sphyrna mokarran). Overexploitation in fisheries, both as a targeted catch and as bycatch, has led to steep population declines, driven by the high market value of its fins and the demand for its meat. This overfishing affects the shark at all life stages in both nearshore and offshore waters. As an apex predator, the loss of the great hammerhead threatens to destabilise the marine food web and compromise the overall health of ocean ecosystems.
The 42 species proposed for listing on CMS appendices:
Terrestrial mammals
Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) – proposal to include the cheetah populations of Zimbabwe on Appendices I and II. Other populations apart those from Botswana and Namibia are already listed on Appendix I. The proposal was submitted by the Government of Zimbabwe.
Striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) – proposal to include on Appendices I and II, submitted by the Governments of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Avian species
Snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus) – proposal to include on Appendix II, submitted by the Government of Norway.
Gadfly petrels (26 species of the genera Pterodroma and Pseudobulweria) – proposal to include 9 taxa of gadfly petrels on Appendix I and 17 taxa on Appendix II, submitted by the Governments of Australia, Brazil, Chile, Cook Islands, Dominican Republic, Fiji and New Zealand.
Flesh-footed shearwater (Ardenna carneipes) – proposal to include on Appendix II, submitted by the Governments of Australia, France and New Zealand.
Hudsonian whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus hudsonicus) – proposal to include on Appendix I, submitted by the Governments of Brazil and Chile.
Hudsonian godwit (Limosa haemastica) – proposal to include on Appendix I, submitted by the Governments of Brazil and Chile.
Lesser yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) – proposal to include on Appendix I, submitted by the Government of Uruguay.
Iberá seedeater (Sporophila iberaensis) – proposal to include on Appendix II, submitted by the Governments of Argentina and Brazil.
Aquatic species
Giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) – proposal to include on Appendices I and II, submitted by the Government of France.
Pelagic thresher shark, bigeye thresher shark and common thresher shark (Alopias pelagicus, Alopias superciliosus, Alopias vulpinus) – proposal to include all three thresher shark species on Appendix I while maintaining their status under Appendix II, submitted by the Government of Panama.
Patagonian narrownose smoothhound (Mustelus schmitti) – proposal to include on Appendix II, submitted by the Government of Brazil.
Scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini) – proposal to include on Appendix I while maintaining its status under Appendix II, submitted by the Government of Ecuador.
Great hammerhead shark(Sphyrna mokarran) – proposal to include on Appendix I while maintaining its status under Appendix II, submitted by the Government of Ecuador.
Angular angelshark (Squatina guggenheim) – proposal to include on Appendix II, submitted by the Government of Brazil.
Spotted sorubim (Pseudoplatystoma corruscans) – proposal to include on Appendix II, submitted by the Government of Brazil.
Species proposed for removal from CMS Appendix I:
Bukhara deer (Cervus elaphus yarkandensis) – proposal to remove from Appendix I, submitted by the Government of Uzbekistan.
The proposal to remove this species from Appendix I reflects successful long-term conservation action and the sustained recovery of this subspecies, according to the CMS, adding that the subspecies would remain under Appendix II and national protection, with Range States committed to maintaining and further consolidating these gains.
Many migratory species not yet listed under CMS
The CMS flagship report, State of the World’s Migratory Species, released at CMS COP14 in Uzbekistan, found that 399 globally Threatened and Near Threatened migratory species (mainly birds and fish) are not listed on the CMS appendices and may benefit from being included to receive higher protection or strengthened coordinated conservation measures.
The report also found that while climate change, pollution and invasive species are having profound effects on migratory species, the two greatest threats are overexploitation and habitat loss, which are also the main concerns for most of the proposed species for listing.
It also highlighted that although nearly half of CMS-listed species (44 per cent) are showing population declines, 12 per cent are increasing and another 31 per cent are stable, underscoring the importance of listing species and the value of the conservation work carried out under the Convention.
Concluding on Thursday, December 18, the ScC-SC8 is the last meeting of the Convention’s scientific advisory body before COP15, providing scientific and technical advice on an extensive conservation agenda including items related to illegal and unsustainable taking of species, ecological connectivity, infrastructure and renewable energy impacts on migratory species, and climate change, as well as a wide range of taxa-specific and cross-cutting conservation issues, all of which will be considered by COP15.
Upcoming scientific assessments and reports, including the first interim report of the State of the World’s Migratory Species report and a global assessment of migratory freshwater fish to be officially presented at COP15 next year, were also on the agenda of the experts.
Looking ahead to Campo Grande, gateway to the Pantanal
The 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CMS (COP15) will be hosted by the Government of Brazil in Campo Grande, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, from March 23 to 29, 2026, with associated events taking place in the preceding days.
This UN wildlife conservation meeting will bring together governments, scientists, conservation organizations, Indigenous peoples, local communities and other stakeholders to address the growing pressures on migratory species and their habitats. It is expected to adopt numerous new mandates to strengthen actions for the conservation of migratory species around the world.
The Kebbi State Government on Thursday, December 18, 2025, inaugurated the production of fortified rice as part of efforts to strengthen food and nutrition security in the state.
Gov. Nasir Idris, who launched the rice production at the Takalau Rice Mill in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, said the aim was to position the state as one of the milling states in the country.
The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Alhaji Shehu Muazu, described the project as “a major boost for low-income earners in the state.”
Kebbi fortified rice
He said the initiative would improve access to rice fortified with essential micronutrients, including zinc, iron, folic acid and vitamins B12, B1, B3 and B6.
He added that “this is a great win for the people of Kebbi. We appreciate the support of our development partners, particularly the World Food Programme (WFP) and TechnoServe, in making this project a reality.”
The governor’s wife, Hajiya Nasare Idris, represented by the Special Adviser on Budget Matters, Hajiya Aisha Usman, said the project aligned with efforts to address micronutrient deficiencies and improve public health outcomes in the state.
She reaffirmed her commitment to sustaining rice fortification and other nutrition-related interventions.
Earlier, Faruk Abubakar, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, said the mill had been further upgraded with additional equipment, including a sortex machine and a length grader, to enhance rice quality.
He urged local farmers to utilise the facility, assuring them of premium quality, fortified rice output.
Representatives of development partners at the event commended the state government for prioritising nutrition.
Mrs. Owen Osaigbevo-Iniobong of WFP, said the project would help to deliver nutrient-rich food to vulnerable populations.
On his part, Mr. Seun Elere, the Project Manager at TechnoServe, said that improved nutrition was critical to poverty reduction and livelihood improvement.
Similarly, Mr. Sani Isyaku of Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), praised the state’s commitment to closing nutritional gaps.
A panel of global agricultural and policy experts has released a new playbook to support African countries as they begin implementing the Kampala Declaration on building resilient and sustainable agrifood systems from January 1, 2026.
“Recipes for Success 2: Policy Innovations to Achieve the Kampala Declaration Goals“ synthesises lessons from 70 country case studies conducted by the Malabo Montpellier Panel based on 16 flagship reports published since 2017, offering practical and replicable approaches for African governments, nonstate actors, and development partners for the third phase of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) 2026-2035.
Dr. Ousmane Badiane, Executive Chairperson, AKADEMIYA2063
CAADP, the foundational framework for Africa’s agricultural development, was launched in 2003 following the endorsement of the Maputo Declaration. In 2014, the Malabo Declaration set forth seven commitments to be achieved by 2025. These included ending hunger in Africa by 2025, halving poverty through inclusive agricultural growth, and enhancing the resilience of livelihoods and production systems to climate variability and other related risks.
Africa has experienced sustained economic growth over the last two decades, with a steady increase in agricultural production. Despite progress, the continent has faced severe setbacks from climate shocks, the COVID-19 pandemic, and global commodity market disruptions linked to the Russia-Ukraine war.
In response to these pressing challenges, the Kampala Declaration and the associated CAADP Strategy and Action Plan (2026–2035) were adopted by African Union Member States in 2025, proposing a holistic agrifood systems approach to shape the next decade of Africa’s agrifood system transformation. With case studies from 22 countries and lessons from Regional Economic Communities, “Recipes for Success 2” maps the Panel’s body of evidence against the six commitments outlined in the Kampala Declaration.
“The Kampala Declaration is an ambitious framework to make up ground on the continent’s agrifood systems transformation, and the good news is that African countries already possess a rich foundation of policy innovations, institutional reforms, and programmatic successes to build on,” said Dr. Ousmane Badiane, Co-Chair, Malabo Montpellier Panel, and Executive Chairperson at AKADEMIYA2063.
“Evidence from the Panel’s work over nearly a decade shows that the success of the Kampala era would largely depend on Africa’s capacity to learn from documented experiences and scale up proven solutions through coordinated and sustained action,” Badiane added.
With this report, the Malabo Montpellier Panel presents an integrated agenda to support policy and programmatic interventions across areas such as agrifood finance, agro-processing, climate resilience, digitalisation, fisheries, irrigation, mechanisation, nutrition, and youth and women’s empowerment.
The report offers critical recommendations and highlights relevant, successful interventions for adoption and scaling under each of the six Kampala commitments.
Intensifying sustainable food production, agro-industrialisation, and trade: Achieving a 45 percent increase in output, halving postharvest losses, and tripling intra-African trade by 2035 will require sustained investment in technology, diversification, and competitive value chains. Experiences from Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Senegal provide workable models that show productivity gains rise sharply when policies align with investments in irrigation, digital advisory services, improved mechanisation, and climate-smart agricultural innovations responsive to farmers’ needs.
Trade-enhancing reforms in Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda demonstrate that reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers can stimulate regional markets, boost competitiveness, and strengthen food availability across borders.
Boosting investment and financing for agrifood systems transformation: The Kampala Declaration calls for mobilising at least $100 billion in public and private investment by 2035, allocating 10 percent of national budgets to the sector, and reinvesting 15 percent of agrifood GDP annually. Examples from Morocco, Seychelles, and Zambia show that innovative financing mechanisms, including revolving funds, blended finance instruments, and results-based subsidies, have expanded access to capital for women, youth, and other small producers.
Ensuring food and nutrition security: The Kampala Declaration targets Zero Hunger by 2035, 30 percent reductions in child stunting, wasting, and overweight, and ensuring that at least 60 percent of the population can afford a healthy diet. Interventions in Malawi, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana show that school feeding schemes, dietary diversification incentives, strengthened safety nets, and biofortified crops, along with stronger monitoring systems to track nutrition outcomes across all ages for both females and males, have proven effective in improving dietary quality, reducing food insecurity, and building human capital.
Advancing inclusivity and equitable livelihoods: Reducing extreme poverty and narrowing the gender yield gap by half requires reforms that prioritise equitable access to productive resources. Programmes that have expanded women’s and youth participation in agrifood systems, as observed in Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, and Zimbabwe, demonstrate that key enablers of inclusivity include secure land and resource rights, tailored financial services, access to mechanisation and digital tools, and agricultural innovation hubs that enable young people, in particular, to transition from being job seekers to job creators.
Building resilient agrifood systems: Protecting 40 percent of households from shocks requires a shift from reactive to anticipatory governance. Successful programmes in Niger, Mali, Zambia, and Morocco show that effective delivery of scalable technologies, such as solar irrigation, drought-tolerant seed varieties, and climate-informed advisory services, combined with early warning systems and risk financing mechanisms, have strengthened countries’ ability to withstand such shocks.
Investments in restoration, circular economy approaches, and sustainable land and water management can ensure long-term resilience for households engaged in agrifood-system-related livelihoods, as demonstrated in Ghana and Uganda. Furthermore, Mozambique and Malawi demonstrate that infrastructure and cross-border cooperation can turn aquatic resources into a pillar of resilient, nutrition-sensitive food systems.
Strengthening agrifood systems governance: Evidence indicates that countries that have invested in coherent policies, data-driven planning, accountable institutions, and participatory decision-making have achieved faster and more sustainable results in transforming their agrifood systems. As observed in Rwanda and Senegal, inter-ministerial coordination, regular performance reviews, and transparent regulatory systems, especially those designed around the use of digital technologies, enhance trust, efficiency, and investment attractiveness.
“The wealth of evidence in this report serves as a practical reference for African governments, development partners, and private-sector actors to advance the ambitions of the Kampala Declaration,” said Prof. Joachim von Braun, Co-Chair, Malabo Montpellier Panel at the Centre for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn. “The African research communities will play a key role providing guidance to implementation actions at continental and country level.”
As the continent embarks on the implementation phase of the Kampala Declaration, these policy solutions, along with robust communication and advocacy strategies, can serve as a blueprint for continentwide implementation, scaling, and monitoring to accelerate impact.
