A lecturer at the University of Uyo, Prof. Edem Eniang, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, expressed worry at indiscriminate tree felling for timber and charcoal production, describing it as destruction of the environment.
Felled trees at the Heritage Park and Gardens, UI
Eniang said in Lagos that illegal logging increased in Nigeria in the past two years.
According to him, economic hardship contributed to the situation.
The biodiversity expert, however, cautioned that destroying the environment for a temporary economic gain would be counter-productive.
He said that illegal logging would have long-term negative consequences and should be avoided.
Eniang said that the environmental was being highly degraded by indiscriminate felling of trees as unpatriotic people turned mangrove forests to alternative sources of income and energy.
He warned that nature’s ways of reacting to such could be catastrophic.
“Violation of the nation’s forest reserves without regard to measures put in place to protect such assets depicts high level of retrogression.
“The environment remains the bedrock of human existence, and development efforts should be consistently geared toward its protection for sustainability.
“Renewable energy should be the trend toward better environment.
“Government should avoid polices that make people to dependent on trees in the forest as an alternative source of energy or means of livelihood,” Eniang said.
UN-Habitat and the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan have announced the theme for the upcoming thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13): “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities.”
Baku in Azerbaijan will host WUF13 in May 2026
The announcement was made at the recently held resumed second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya.
Set to take place in Baku from May 17 to 22, 2026, WUF13 will focus global attention on the housing crisis and underscore the role of adequate housing in building inclusive, climate-resilient, and sustainable cities and communities.
“The World Urban Forum is one of the largest UN platforms convening diverse parties to exchange, partner and act on priorities to promote sustainable cities and communities – in line with the priorities of the New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals – and is a truly transformative global urban coalition,” said Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat.
The announcement was made on the sidelines of the Assembly, which brought together 193 Member States and urban stakeholders from across the world to advance sustainable urban development.
Housing at the heart of sustainable urbanisation
The theme of WUF13 comes at a critical moment, with nearly 3 billion people currently experiencing some form of housing inadequacy, including more than 1.1 billion living in informal settlements or slums and over 300 million experiencing homelessness.
“We are determined to work closely with a wide range of partners to make WUF13 in Baku a major milestone for the global housing agenda,” said Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture of Azerbaijan and WUF13 National Coordinator.
As the world approaches the midpoint in implementing the New Urban Agenda, WUF13 will explore housing as a catalyst for more equitable and climate-resilient urban development. The Forum will also contribute directly to the 2026 UN Secretary-General’s quadrennial report on the implementation of the New Urban Agenda.
Looking ahead to WUF13
Since its inception in 2001, the World Urban Forum has grown into the UN’s premier platform for examining the impacts of rapid urbanisation and sharing solutions. The last session, held in Cairo in 2024, brought together more than 25,000 participants from 182 countries and culminated in the Cairo Call to Action – a roadmap for sustainable urban transformation.
Climate transparency is more than a reporting requirement under the Paris Agreement – it’s a strategic tool to unlock the finance countries need to meet their climate goals.
UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell
As nations update their national climate plans (NDCs) in 2025, a new case study by UN Climate Change’s #Together4Transparency initiative, developed in partnership with the Centre for Clean Air Policy, highlights how strong transparency systems can help mobilize climate finance and drive global action.
The study shows that when countries embed transparency into their climate reporting systems, they can more effectively pinpoint investment opportunities in high-priority areas, identify financing gaps, and attract both public and private funding.
By aligning transparency frameworks with national priorities and capacities, governments can clearly demonstrate their climate progress and finance needs, building trust and enabling coordinated support.
The case study presents the concept of a three-part engine that drives climate action:
NDCsset national targets and estimate the cost of climate action.
Transparency mechanisms track progress and identify gaps in action and support.
Climate finance bridges these gaps, making implementation possible.
The publication focuses on Panama’s National Climate Transparency Platform, launched in 2022, as a compelling example of how robust transparency mechanisms can help unlock vital climate finance. This digital portal integrates climate data and policy information through modular, interconnected systems, ensuring consistent, traceable reporting aligned with Paris Agreement requirements.
Panama’s platform shows how national systems can embed Enhanced Transparency Framework requirements in a way that not only fulfills international reporting commitments but also supports NDC implementation and drives transformative climate action.
German environmentalists have filed charges against the south-western state of Baden-Württemberg for allegedly failing to meet its climate targets, the Environmental Action Germany (DUH) group said on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
DUH managing director, Jürgen Resch
The non-profit, which brought the case to the state administrative court in Mannheim, aims to compel state authorities to implement an action programme before the next state elections in March 2026, in order to meet the self-imposed targets.
According to the Climate Protection Act of Baden-Württemberg, the state must reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions by 65 per cent compared to 1990 levels by 2030.
This reduction is intended to help the state achieve climate neutrality by 2040.
However, last year scientists projected that Baden-Württemberg, which is home to many of Germany’s manufacturing businesses, including major car industry players like Porsche and Mercedes, was on track to miss the 2030 target.
The Climate Act also stipulated that further measures must be taken if an “imminent significant deviation from targets” is identified.
So far, the state government, a coalition of the conservative Christian Democrats and the Greens, had failed to act.
DUH managing director, Jürgen Resch, accused the state government of deliberately violating the law.
He proposed introducing a statewide speed limit on the Autobahn, a controversial issue in Germany, as well as energy-efficient refurbishments of schools and daycare centres as additional ways to reduce emissions.
Abu Dhabi has recorded a Sustainable Fisheries Index of 97.4 per cent by the end of 2024, continuing a six-year streak of marine conservation achievements in line with World Oceans Day.
Recent marine monitoring documented key indicators of ecosystem recovery
The accomplishment marks an improvement from just 8.9 per cent in 2018, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), a partner of TV BRICS.
Recent marine monitoring also documented key indicators of ecosystem recovery.
Notably, 55 specimens of the rare nuaimi fish were recorded, along with the first sighting of the white-spotted grouper in Abu Dhabi – now added to the international Fish Base database.
Other rare species spotted include the large-scaled triggerfish and the spotted oceanic triggerfish.
To support fish stock recovery, the UAE has enforced internationally aligned regulations on commercial and recreational fishing and expanded marine protected areas.
Additional initiatives include coral propagation, artificial reef installation, and enhanced aquaculture.
Experts believe the index milestone demonstrates the value of science-based policy and global best practices in restoring fish populations and protecting ecosystems.
The Executive Director, Cedars Refuge Foundation (CRF), Mr. Peter Unekwu-Ojo, has called on young Nigerians to abstain from taking flavoured tobacco products that pose dangers to their health.
A cross-section of students of Klinnicaps Academy and some members of the foundation
Unekwu-Ojo made the call during an anti-tobacco campaign at Klinnicaps Academy in Koroduma, Karu Local Government of Nasarawa State on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
The theme of the campaign is: “Exposing Lies, Protecting Lives: Unmasking the Appeal of Tobacco and Nicotine Products.”
According to him, the campaign focuses on exposing the deceptive strategies of the tobacco industry.
“The campaign is aimed at combating the rising tobacco use among young Nigerians.
“We are engaging the students in an enlightening and interactive session aimed at unmasking the harmful realities behind flashy advertisements and flavoured tobacco products,’’ he said.
Addressing the students and school officials, Unekwu-Ojo denounced the manipulative tactics employed by tobacco companies, accusing them of deliberately targeting children and youths.
“These industries are setting young people up against their future. They sandwich their products with glamorous colourful packaging, enticing flavours and high-profile adverts, hiding the dangerous consequences of addiction.
“The educational session not only delivered hard-hitting facts, but also encouraged vibrant feedback and critical reflection from students.
“The campaign emphasises that the glitz associated with tobacco products is a smokescreen concealing long-term health risks and dependency
“Every child deserves a future free from the industry’s traps flavoured nicotine, flashy adverts and peer-induced pressure.
“Tobacco use is not a fashion statement, it is a death sentence disguised in shiny colours,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr. John Egla, Executive Director, Development Initiatives for Societal Health, reiterated the irreversible danger posed by tobacco use.
According to him, tobacco is a killer; there is no safe level of smoking.
He said that Cedars Refuge Foundation would be establishing Tobacco-Free Clubs in 10 high schools across Nasarawa State.
“These clubs will empower students with knowledge, peer leadership and advocacy tools to resist and counter tobacco industry influence.
“The 2018 Tobacco Atlas revealed alarming statistics that over 942 million men and 175 million women worldwide aged 15 and older are smokers, with usage rising across Sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria,” he said.
He attributed this growth to increased affordability and aggressive marketing strategies by tobacco companies aimed at vulnerable youth populations.
Mr. Patrick Ori, the school principal, expressed deep appreciation for the initiative, acknowledging the importance of early intervention and continuous education.
Ori urged the students to resist peer pressure, adding that the critical role of parental supervision in safeguarding their future could not be overemphasised.
The Dean of Studies, Mrs. Precious Ojiaku, urged students to uphold strong moral values.
She advised them to avoid falling prey to nicotine hooks and flavour packages that were designed to entice and trap the unsuspecting living a morally grounded life.
“Living a morally grounded life, avoidance is the most effective resistance against an industry that profits from addiction and suffering,” she said.
She added that the campaign marks a significant step in the broader Smoke-Free Campaign led by Cedars Refuge Foundation.
Ojiaku said that the campaign also targets hotel operators, market leaders, motor park managers, primary health care centres, influencers, policymakers and relevant stakeholders.
“It is important that stakeholders enforce the smoke-free provisions of the National Tobacco Control (NTC) Act and Regulations, in collaboration with relevant enforcement agencies.
“The message is clear as well as resounding that ‘Tobacco has no place in the future of Nigerian youth’,” she added.
The high point of the campaign was the official establishment of a Tobacco-Free Club at Klinnicaps Academy, Karu.
The foundation distributed Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials to support the club’s activities and empower students with facts and skills to stand against tobacco use.
With the world facing a mounting health and environmental emergency from plastic pollution, Swedish water tech and beverage innovator, Bluewater, is issuing an urgent call to action: if governments cannot or won’t lead, the people must.
Plastic waste pollution in the Philippines
Ahead of the UN Global Plastic Treaty negotiations in Geneva this August and the current 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France (June 9–13), Bluewater says the issue needs a powerful international coalition of citizens, scientists, health experts, NGOs, and responsible businesses to confront the plastic crisis head-on.
“Plastic pollution isn’t just a planetary threat – it’s a human health catastrophe,” said Bengt Rittri, founder and CEO of Bluewater. “We need bold, binding action to ban toxic plastic chemicals and end the era of fossil-fuel-based single-use plastic bottles. If governments fail to act, consumers must rise and lead.”
Over 600 billion single-use plastic bottles are produced annually, most ending up in landfills or the ocean. Now, groundbreaking research reveals that even so-called “biodegradable” plastics`’ are unsafe: a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that PLA microplastics can enter the metabolic system of gut bacteria, potentially triggering diseases like diabetes and inflammatory bowel syndrome.
“This isn’t a distant problem – it’s already in our bodies,” Rittri added. “We must mobilise together now or risk irreversible damage to human health and marine ecosystems.”
Bluewater welcomes the UN Ocean Conference’s theme – “Accelerating action and mobilising all actors” – and champions alternatives to single-use plastic bottles through cutting-edge water purification solutions for home, work, and play.
World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has disclosed that the mpox upsurge continues to meet the criteria of a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) set forth in the International Health Regulations (IHR).
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO). Photo credit: AFP / FABRICE COFFRINI / Getty Images
The announcement follows the fourth meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee regarding the upsurge of mpox, held on Thursday, June 5, 2025.
The Committee, recognising progress in the capacity to respond in certain countries, advised the Director-General that the event continues to constitute a PHEIC, based on the continuing rise in the number of cases, including a recent increase in West Africa, and likely ongoing undetected transmission in some countries beyond the African continent.
Ongoing operational challenges in responding to the event, including concerning surveillance and diagnostics, as well as a lack of funding make prioritising response interventions challenging and require continued international support.
The Director-General concurred with the Committee’s advice.
The Director-General also concurred with and issued the Committee’s revised temporary recommendations to Member States experiencing mpox outbreaks. The recommendations guide countries’ efforts to prevent and control the spread of the disease.
The full report of the fourth meeting will be issued next week.
The upsurge of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its spread to neighbouring countries was first determined to be a public health emergency of international concern by the Director-General on August 14, 2024. Since then, the Emergency Committee has met on three additional occasions, each time advising the Director-General that the event continues to constitute a PHEIC.
The list of members and advisors of the IHR Emergency Committee and previous statements are available here.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is an infectious viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus. Common symptoms include a skin rash or mucosal lesions, fever, headache, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes.
The disease can be transmitted through close contact with infected individuals, contaminated materials, or infected animals. Treatment primarily focuses on relieving symptoms.
A collectiveof United Nations agencies and global partners on Sunday, June 8, 2025, launched the co-design process for One Ocean Finance – a bold new effort to unlock billions in new financing from ocean-dependent industries and blue economy sectors.
Ocean economy: A coastline in Africa
By channeling these underutilised capital flows through an agile, scalable, and fit-for-purpose global platform, One Ocean Finance seeks to deliver triple-win outcomes: accelerating industry transition, restoring ocean health, and supporting resilient coastal communities.
At its core, the Call for Engagement invites all sectors – governments, industry, finance, and civil society – to come together in shaping a more coherent and inclusive ocean finance architecture, one that reflects the true value of the ocean as a global asset.
Despite the ocean’s central role in global trade, food security, climate regulation, and livelihoods, Sustainable Development Goal 14 remains the least funded, with less than $10 billion invested between 2015 and 2019 – far short of the estimated $175 billion needed annually.
To address this widening finance gap, One Ocean Finance seeks to mobilise new and diverse sources of capital, especially from ocean-linked sectors, and deploy them through blended financial instruments that can de-risk innovation and unlock private investment.
Announced at the Blue Economy Finance Forum in Monaco and carried forward to the Third UN Ocean Conference in Nice, the Call for Engagement invites Member States, private sector leaders, financial institutions, and civil society to participate in an open and inclusive dialogue to shape this global finance mechanism, with a view toward launch at the Fourth UN Ocean Conference in 2028.
“This collaborative process will bring together governments, financial institutions, ocean industries, the United Nations, and civil society to collectively shape a new financial future for the ocean,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme. “Through the development of One Ocean Finance, our goal is to address decades of chronic underinvestment, consolidate fragmented efforts, and design a system that is equitable, agile, and responsive to the needs of coastal communities and marine ecosystems.”
One Ocean Finance is being advanced by a multi-agency collective including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO-IOC), the United Nations Global Compact, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UN Tourism), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the World Resources Institute (WRI), among others.
It aims to complement existing funds, reduce fragmentation, and align financial flows with ocean health, economic opportunity, and coastal resilience – especially for Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries.
“The ocean regulates our climate, feeds billions, and powers global trade, yet it is undervalued, underfunded, and overexploited. We need to redesign ocean finance – grounded in equity, guided by science, and powered by the potential of ocean-dependent industries. One Ocean Finance represents a movement toward systems-level transformation, enabling fairer, faster, and larger-scale financing – mobilising public and private capital to restore marine ecosystems and deliver justice to the communities who depend on them,” stated UNDP Administrator, Achim Steiner.
The Call for Engagement reflects a shared commitment to co-designing afit-for-purpose facilitythat delivers triple-win outcomes for people, planet, and prosperity. Once operational, One Ocean Finance will draw the majority of its capital from ocean-dependent industries – such as shipping, tourism, ports, marine cables, and insurance – through such mechanisms as user fees, solidarity levies, ecosystem service payments, and dynamic pricing models. The Facility is being structured to deploy the full suite of financial instruments and innovative de-risking tools needed to unlock investment at scale and deliver equitable, high-impact solutions.
“Today’s ocean finance remains too fragmented, too inequitable, and too slow to meet the urgency of the moment,” said Pradeep Kurukulasuriya, Executive Secretary of UNCDF, the UN’s capital providing fund, which serves first and foremost least development countries and other vulnerable nations, as set out by the UN General Assembly resolution of 1974.
“Through this co-design process, we are shaping a purpose-built platform that delivers catalytic grants, patient capital for local innovators, and blended finance to crowd in private investment. One Ocean Finance will accelerate the sustainable transition of industries, drive climate-smart innovation, and empower the communities working to protect and restore ocean ecosystems,” added Kurukulasuriya.
“Science must guide ocean action. Data must guide ocean investments.” said Vidar Helgesen, Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO. “A One Ocean Finance Facility would offer an opportunity to embed the health and natural capital of the ocean into financial systems, ensuring decisions are based on robust data in support of a regenerative and resilient ocean.”
“Ocean-dependent industries must be part of the solution,” said Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of the United Nations Global Compact. “One Ocean Finance presents an opportunity to build stronger public-private partnerships that accelerate sustainable transitions, decouple growth from degradation, align business practices with ocean stewardship, and unlock triple-win investments – for resilient industries, thriving coastal communities, and a healthy ocean.”
“Coastal and marine tourism must evolve to support sustainability, not undermine it,” said Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation. “Through the One Ocean Finance Facility, we can accelerate investments that decouple tourism growth from environmental degradation and uplift local communities.”
“One Ocean Finance is a step toward systemic change,” said Minna Epps, Global Ocean Policy Director, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). “The co-design process offers a rare opportunity to rethink how global finance can drive nature-positive outcomes, strengthen coastal resilience, and deliver equity for the communities most affected by ocean degradation. If we act boldly now, we can chart a course toward a more just and regenerative ocean economy.”
“A sustainable ocean economy has the potential to create 51 million new jobs by 2050, but it can only thrive with smarter, more equitable financing,” said Cynthia Barzuna, Deputy Director of the Ocean Programme, World Resources Institute. “One Ocean Finance is an invaluable chance to align capital flows with nature-positive outcomes – ensuring investments reduce risks, support emissions reductions, boost resilience and create jobs – benefitting the most vulnerable coastal communities.”
An NGO, Lagos Beach Cleaners, has urged residents of Badagry to imbibe environmental responsibility in protecting marine ecosystems.
Lagos Beach Cleaners and some volunteers after a cleanup exercise at Gberefu Beach in Badagry on Monday
The Founder, Mr. Israel Bonu, gave the advice during a cleanup exercise by the team at Gberefu Beach in Badagry on Monday, June 9, 2025, to commemorate the 2025 World Oceans Day marked annually on June 8.
According to Bonu, an environmental advocate, the responsibility will enable residents to have a clean and conducive environment.
“The initiative is aimed at raising awareness about the impact of plastic pollution on marine life and coastal communities, while promoting sustainable environmental practices.
“Our goal is to inspire a new culture of environmental responsibility, where every individual understands their role in protecting marine ecosystems,” he said.
Speaking during the cleanup, Bonu expressed gratitude to the volunteers and local villagers, who joined in the effort.
Bonu emphasised that World Oceans Day presented an opportunity to reflect on the health of the world’s oceans and take action to protect them.
He noted that Lagos Beach Cleaners was established with the mission to preserve the state’s coastal environment through regular cleanups, environmental education, and community engagement.
Also speaking, Dr Sewhude Akande, the foundation’s Director of Media, said the activity was not just about cleaning the beach, but fostering a lasting commitment to ocean conservation.
The cleanup exercise concluded with a brief sensitisation session, where participants were reminded of the long-term impact of indiscriminate waste disposal and the importance of reducing single-use plastics.
World Oceans Day highlights the vital role oceans play in sustaining life on earth and calls for global action to protect marine environments.
