The UN Biodiversity Conference opened on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, in a renewed attempt to reach an agreement, four months after delegates failed to strike a deal due to disagreements over financing issues.
The resumed session is being held at the FAO headquarters in Rome
In November 2024, the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP16) in Cali, Colombia, ended without an agreement after disputes about funding and the implementation of previous resolutions.
This time, the delegates have three days to agree on the issues.
The Colombia talks focused on the technical implementation of the global biodiversity conservation agreement as well as on financing issues.
The participating states agreed in 2022 on 23 goals to be achieved by 2030.
Among these was an agreement to protect at least 30 per cent of the world’s land and marine areas.
Only 17.6 per cent of the world’s land areas and 8.4 per cent of its waters are protected, according to the UN Environment Programme.
In addition, industrialised countries are to provide around 20 billion dollars annually by 2025 for the protection of biodiversity.
The main point of contention in Cali was how to distribute financial support for the countries of the Global South.
A further problem at the Colombia meeting was that by the end of the two-week talks, so many negotiators had left that not enough people were present to make decisions.
A fact slammed as a “disgrace’’ by environmentalists.
The resumed session is being held at the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation headquarters in Rome.
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has commended The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) for the in-country fabrication of two Single Point Mooring (SPM) buoys by Prime Sources Limited (PSL,) an indigenous company based in Warri, Delta State.
Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Felix Omatsola Ogbe (third from left), with officials of NCDMB, SPDC and Prime Sources Limited at the work yard in Warri, Delta State, where the SPM (in the background) was fabricated.
SPMs are floating facilities used for loading liquids and gas offshore and were first fabricated locally for the Bonga floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd (SNEPCo) in 2006 by Dorman Long Engineering Limited with headquarters in Lagos.
SPDC awarded the contract for the two buoys to the indigenous company, PSL, which is delivering the facilities in line with world-class quality standards as attested to by the International Registrar and Classification Society in Norway, Det Norske Veritas (DNV) and a team of resident engineers from IMODCO, PSL’s technical partner in France. The buoys will be installed offshore at Bonny and Forcados terminals this year.
“Awarding such a technically complex scope to a local contractor highlights SPDC’s commitment to local content development,” NCDMB Executive Secretary, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, said when he toured the project site at the Julius Berger Port in Warri recently. “I want to especially commend SPDC for believing in the indigenous contractor. I commend the contractor for delivering the project in good time without any injury and the community for their support.”
SPDC Director, and General Manager, Safety and Environment, Conventional Oil and Gas, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mrs. Elozino Olaniyan, said: “The project reiterates Shell’s commitment to the economic development of Nigeria and improving the capacity of local vendors.”
SPDC’s Domestic Gas, Forcados Yokri Integrated Project and Terminals Project Manager, Chris Ubuane, said: “We’re pleased that PSL will deliver the first buoy within a year with a team of over 90% of Nigerians performing various tasks including project management, piping and structural fabrications, scaffolding, welding, fitting, blasting and painting. SPDC will continue to work with PSL to grow their capability in buoy fabrication and maintenance.”
Managing Director Prime Sources Limited, Francis Anyakwo, thanked SPDC for the opportunity to “undertake this complex project,” and NCDMB for the support which has enabled the company to transform to a major subsea contractor in the oil and gas industry.
Secretary of the Ijaw Kingdom Traditional Council, Chief Anthony Jolomi, and representative of the Itsekiri Kingdom, Dr. Omiwere-Ete George Boyo, also expressed gratitude to SPDC for the project, pledging that the community would continue to provide an enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the area.
A new report documenting the economic value of ecosystem services provided by vultures in Southern Africa has been launched by BirdLife International, marking a significant milestone in understanding the role of vultures in the ecosystem. According to the report, which focused on Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia, vultures provide ecosystem services including bequest values, sanitation and pest control services, totalling to $1.8 billion per year.
Vultures
Africa is home to 11 species of vultures. Seven face the risk of extinction, listed as Vulnerable, Endangered or Critically endangered on the IUCN Red List. Vultures, essential for maintaining ecological balance by scavenging on decaying carcasses, have experienced alarming declines, with African vulture populations plummeting by 80-97% over the last five decades, with some species facing a decline of over 92%.
The main threats include poisoning (responsible for 61% of recorded vulture deaths across Africa); belief-based use (29%); and electrocution by energy infrastructure (9%). Halting and reversing these declines is imperative to prevent vultures from becoming extinct.
In Southern Africa, widespread poisoning of vultures through secondary poisoning incidences at carcasses of mega-herbivores and for belief-based use pose a severe threat to vultures, with incidents such as the mass poisoning in Botswana in 2019, resulting in the death of over 500 Critically Endangered vultures. Other threats in the region include collision and electrocution by energy infrastructure, and habitat destruction among others.
The adverse decline of vultures in Asia in the 1990s due to the presence of diclofenac in carcasses, provided a window into a catastrophic scenario without vultures and the impact of the loss of the ecosystem services they provide. Thus, BirdLife International and its Partners commissioned the study to evaluate the value of vultures in the African context and the impact of not having vultures in the ecosystem.
Additionally, the report highlights other values associated with vultures and the economic value associated with them by communities living with vultures, the public (local and international) tourism players as well as rangers and parks personnel. Further, it highlights welfare loss due to not taking action to conserve vultures, equivalent to approximately $47 million per year, whereas the welfare gains from conserving vultures equates to $30 million per year.
Matthew Lewis, Head of Conservation, Africa at BirdLife International, said: “The decline of vulture populations across the continent is indeed worrying. This groundbreaking study on the economic value of vultures in the Southern Africa region is crucial inadvancing conservation efforts. BirdLife and Partners will continue to collaborate with stakeholders in the region to turn the tide for vultures in Southern Africa.”
Leeroy Moyo, Preventing Extinctions Programme Manager at BirdLife Zimbabwe, said: “As BirdLife Zimbabwe, this report is intended to support policy advocacy for vulture conservation. It seeks to enhance awareness among local communities and stakeholders regarding vultures’ essential role in maintaining ecosystem health and promoting human well-being. By integrating these findings into national conservation strategies, we aim to continue mitigating threats such as poisoning, habitat loss, and illegal trade, thereby ensuring a sustainable future for vulture populations in Zimbabwe and the ecosystems they support.”
Mary Malasa, Programme Manager at BirdWatch Zambia, said: “It was particularly interesting to interact with local communities and gain firsthand insights into their perspectives while collecting this data. Quantifying vultures’ role as nature’s cleanup strengthens the case for their conservation. This valuation will serve as a tool not only to raise awareness but ensuring that the role of vultures in the ecosystem is appreciated.”
BirdLife and Partners hope that this study will be instrumental in promoting vulture conservation efforts in the Southern Africa region, through provision of critical information on the economic value of vultures and encourage improved efforts in Southern Africa through increased collaborations among governments, civil society, academia, and local communities.
The Nigerian Environmental Study Action Team (NEST) on Monday, February 24, 2025, at a virtual session officially launched a community-based project with the aim of building community resilience towards climate change by responding to sub-national needs and contributing to national adaptation targets.
Chairman, Board of Directors, NEST, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba
Project Coordinator, Professor Emmanuel Nzegbule, disclosed that the community-based project, titled “Scaling-Up Climate Resilience and Natural Solutions in Communities through Practice, Strengthening Inclusiveness, and Advocacy in Nigeria (SCRNSC)” will be funded by the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA).
He said: “The one-year SCRNSC planned to cover four ecological zones in Nigeria has commenced with a pilot scheme in Abia State and will be extended to Borno, Cross River, Enugu, Nasarawa, and Oyo states in the coming months.
The Project Coordinator listed the expected impact of the project to include: “Enhancing climate resilience to address location specific adaptation needs with nature-based climate solutions; providing evidence-based data to support adaptation solutions to build institutional and community levels actions; improving equitable participation and implementation of resilient approaches that favor vulnerable groups; and, enabling the sub-nationals to have increased capacity to develop climate change resilient action and advocacy plans and increased youth climate activism.”
Professor Nzegbule added: “This community driven intervention comes at a period Nigeria is classified as one of the 10 most vulnerable countries in the world with over 216 million citizens facing huge food crises and climate change worsening underlying challenges in the agricultural sector.
“Though the Federal Government of Nigeria and States have taken up various sectoral initiatives to diversify the economy for sustainable development as well as to meet commitment to the Paris Agreement through low-carbon development strategies, these commendable efforts will be jeopardised without addressing the impact of climate change.”
Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, Chairman, Board of Directors of NEST, in his remarks stated: “Over 216 million Nigerians face huge food crises with the prevailing impact of climate change that is worsening other agricultural production challenges like land degradation, post-harvest losses and huge reliance on rainfall and pest and diseases.
“Both the Federal Government of Nigeria and its sub-nationals have undertaken initiatives to diversify the economy for sustainable development and to meet national commitment to the Paris Agreement through low-carbon development strategies in the key economic sectors
“These commendable efforts will be jeopardized without addressing the impact of climate change on the key sectors. Concerted efforts by international, national and sub-national, civil societies and communities are urgently needed to identify and deploy effectively climate change solutions and to equitably reach the most vulnerable groups in the society,” he stressed.
In her submission, Dr. Gloria Chinwe Njor, Executive Director of NEST, opined that the sustainable development organisation was founded in 1987 and has successfully handled such intervention in the past, also noted that NEST is open to further collaborations with stakeholders in the climate change circle towards achieving desired results.
The SCRNSC project featured remarks from other notable participants such as Dr. Iniobong Abiola-Awe, Director, Department of Climate Change, Federal Ministry of Environment; Dr. Augustine Njamnshi, Executive Director, Africa Coalition for Sustainable Energy Access (ACSEA) and Chair of the Political and Technical Affairs Committee of PACJA; Dr. Nkama Nkem Nkama, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Climate Change; Sam Onuigbo, ofrmer Member and Chair, House of Representatives Committee on Climate Change, among other stakeholders.
This year’s International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) themed “Inspiring Action” reminds us that childhood cancer remains a tragic reality for many families. The most recent estimate from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reveals that around 275,000 new cases of cancer occur worldwide in children aged 0–19 each year.
Second-hand smoke
While the exact causes of most childhood cancers are still not fully understood, researchers are increasingly looking into environmental factors that may contribute to the risk. One area of growing concern is second-hand exposure, particularly regarding tobacco smoke.
Second-hand exposure refers to the inhalation of harmful substances by individuals who are not the primary users of those substances. In the case of tobacco products, it is also called second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure, a deadly problem for both young and old. According to the World Health Organisation, tobacco kills more than 8 million people each year, including an estimated 1.3 million non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke.
In Nigeria alone, tobacco use claims about 26,000 lives and inflicts debilitating conditions and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cancer, heart disease, and chronic respiratory diseases on thousands more.
While the causes of childhood cancer are complex and multifaceted, addressing second-hand exposure remains a critical component of prevention efforts.
A study found that adolescents in Nigeria who were exposed to SHS had an increased risk of lung cancer.According to another study, exposure to SHS during pregnancy increased the risk of cancer in descendants.
Even brief exposure or living near a smoker can subject children to harmful carcinogens, leading to long-term health consequences. For children, living in households with smokers is the biggest risk factor for second-hand smoke exposure. Parental smoking, low socioeconomic status, low educational level, and less negative attitudes toward second-hand smoke have been associated with a child’s exposure to second-hand smoke at home.
Given the potential risks associated with second-hand exposure, parents and caregivers must take proactive steps to protect children. Some strategies to minimise exposure include creating a smoke-free environment, conducting regular health check-ups, and educating others about the danger of tobacco use and second-hand smoke.
Establishing a smoke-free home and car is one of the most effective measures to prevent second-hand tobacco smoke exposure. Family and friends should be encouraged to refrain from smoking.
Regular health check-ups should be scheduled for children to monitor their overall health and address any concerns with a paediatrician.
Spreading awareness about the potential risks of second-hand exposure to friends and family is also critical. Informing others can foster a community of support that prioritises children’s health.
Ultimately, the solution to second-hand smoke-induced childhood cancer is not legalising or making tobacco products available to the Nigerian public.
By recognising the potential risks of tobacco consumption and taking proactive measures, families can create healthier environments for children, ultimately contributing to the reduction of childhood cancer rates.
ICCD is a global collaborative campaign to raise awareness and promote an increased appreciation and deeper understanding of the challenges faced by children and adolescents with cancer, the survivors and their families. ICCD spotlights the need for more equitable access to treatment and care for all children with cancer, everywhere.
ICCD 2025 marks the second phase of a three-year global initiative focused on tackling the challenges faced by children with cancer.
By Esi-ife Arogundade, tobacco control advocate at Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA)
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) opened its five-day meeting on Monday, February 24, in Hangzhou, China, marking its first gathering of 2025.
The opening of the 62nd session of the IPCC in Hangzhou, China. Photo credit: IISD-ENB / Anastasia Rodopoulou
The year began with a warning from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) that 2024 was the warmest on record – about 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels. Several UN dignitaries referenced this warning in their opening remarks, underscoring the urgency of science to accelerate climate action.
During its 62nd session, the Panel is due to review key elements of its Seventh Assessment Report (AR7), including draft outlines for each Working Group Report and for the Methodology Report on Carbon Dioxide Removal Technologies, Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage.
In their opening statements, host country representatives highlighted China’s progress toward a low-carbon society and reaffirmed their commitment to international climate science cooperation.
Li Yanyi, Vice Governor of Zhejiang, noted that renewable energy has, for the first time, surpassed coal power and pointed to investments in resilient infrastructure.
Calling for strong partnerships, he said: “If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together.”
Liu Zhenmin, China’s Special Envoy for Climate Change, stressed the IPCC’s role in climate governance, noting its findings shaped the first Global Stocktake. He urged delegates to uphold scientific integrity, support the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, and address global climate finance in AR7.
IPCC Chair, Jim Skea, highlighted “steady and important progress” since the start of AR7 and the Panel’s impact on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process. He outlined the “rich and demanding” agenda ahead and praised scientists and IPCC members for their dedication and continued support.
In video messages, Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), referenced the WMO’s warning, reminding delegates that “every degree, every day, every week counts” and urging them to finalize AR7’s timelines, outlines, and budgets.
UNFCCC Executive Secretary, Simon Stiel, also acknowledged the warning while reflecting on progress since the Paris Agreement. He noted that global investment in the energy transition exceeded $2 trillion in 2024 but cautioned that the window to keep warming below 1.5°C is closing, calling for accelerated action, particularly on adaptation.
Ko Barrett, Deputy Secretary-General of the WMO, reinforced the urgency of action, stressing that the cost of inaction far exceeds the cost of action. She praised China’s commitment to scientific collaboration and urged the IPCC to take “decisive action.”
Chen Zhenlin, Administrator of the China Meteorological Administration, reaffirmed China’s commitment to the IPCC, noting that more than 100 Chinese authors have contributed to its reports. He highlighted China’s participation in the UN’s Early Warnings for All initiative and its willingness to collaborate on global early warning networks.
Following the opening ceremony, IPCC-62 began deliberations in a closed session. Delegates considered IPCC-62’s agenda, the draft report of the 61st Session of the IPCC, IPCC’s budget for the years 2024-2027, the Scoping of the IPCC AR7 report, and the Outline of the Methodology Report on the Carbon Dioxide Removal Technologies, Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage, among others.
The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Isa Kwarra, has called for urgent strategic investments in healthcare, education, climate resilience and data-driven policies.
Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Isa Kwarra
Speaking at the 13th Annual International Conference of the Population Institute of Nigeria on Monday, February 24, 2025, in Abuja, Kwarra said that this is to mitigate the challenges posed by Nigeria’s rapidly growing population.
He said that without deliberate policy interventions, the country’s demographic expansion could exacerbate social and economic inequalities.
“The fundamental question before us is whether our population growth will become a driver of economic progress or deepen existing socioeconomic disparities,” he said.
The NPC chairman highlighted maternal and child health as a pressing concern, noting that Nigeria still records one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally.
Citing the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2018, he said that the maternal mortality rate had declined from 576 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2013 to 512 per 100,000 in 2018.
He said that more targeted interventions were needed.
“Access to quality maternal healthcare services, particularly in rural areas, remains inadequate.
“Too many women still die from preventable complications during childbirth.
“Strengthening healthcare infrastructure, improving access to skilled birth attendants, and expanding emergency obstetric services are non-negotiable if we are to reverse this trend,” he said.
Kwarra said that climate change posed a significant challenge to Nigeria’s population dynamics, impacting food security, water availability, and human safety.
He called for the adoption of climate resilience strategies to safeguard the country’s natural resources and promote sustainable development.
“As climate change continues to affect food security, water availability, and human safety, adopting climate resilience strategies is essential.
“Proactive policies must be implemented to enhance environmental sustainability, including encouraging renewable energy adoption, promoting afforestation, and enforcing land-use regulations,” he said.
He urged stakeholders to integrate climate resilience with population management strategies to ensure a sustainable future for Nigeria’s growing population
Kwaara also addressed family planning and reproductive health choices, noting that Nigeria’s contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) among married women stands at just 20 per cent.
He said that rural areas experienced lower contraceptive usage of 5.6 per cent compared to urban areas, 3.9 per cent, leading to higher birth rates and increasing the strain on the nation’s health system.
He called for expanded access to family planning services, stating that empowering women with contraceptive choices and reproductive health education would help regulate birth rates and improve overall family well-being.
The rapid expansion of Nigerian cities due to rural-to-urban and urban-to-urban migration is another major concern, according to the NPC chairman.
He said that cities like Lagos, Kano, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kaduna were experiencing overcrowding, inadequate housing, and limited access to essential services such as water, electricity, and healthcare.
“Unplanned urbanisation is leading to the proliferation of informal settlements, environmental degradation, and a decline in the quality of life.
“We must integrate smart urban planning strategies and invest in modern infrastructure to support our growing cities,” he said.
To effectively address Nigeria’s demographic challenges, Kwaara stressed the need for accurate and reliable data to inform policy decisions.
He emphasised that demographic insights should guide investments in education, job creation, and public services to ensure inclusive growth.
“With one of the youngest populations in the world, Nigeria’s youth represent a powerful force for innovation and economic transformation.
“However, without adequate education, employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities, this potential could turn into a crisis,” he said.
The NPC chairman called for collaborative efforts between the government, private sector, and civil society to harness Nigeria’s demographic potential for sustainable development.
He said that strategic investments in healthcare, family planning, urban planning, and youth development were crucial to ensuring that population growth translates into economic prosperity rather than a burden on national resources.
“Nigeria’s population is both a challenge and an opportunity. It is up to us to make the right investments now to secure a prosperous future for the nation,” he said.
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) says it is upgrading waste management facilities in the state with the introduction of 100 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) compactors.
Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin
LAWMA Managing Director, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, who disclosed this in an interview on Monday, February 24, 2025, in Lagos, said LAWMA would be introducing CNG compactors which are environmentally friendly and cheaper to operate.
“This year, we will be bringing 100 compactors, next year, we will be doubling that. Over the next five years, our vision is to upgrade completely the waste collection fleet in Lagos.
“I should mention that these trucks could also use biogas to be produced from organic wastes, both liquid and solid,” Gbadegesin said.
Gbadegesin said that LAWMA partnered with the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) to complete a feasibility study on waster management.
He said the feasibility study was in partnership with the Swedish Government.
Gbadegesin said the feasibility study showed that most of the water and solid organic wastes could be used to produce biogas for LAWMA and LAMATA fleets.
He said that LAMATA would be bringing in about 2,000 CNG/biogas powered fleets from next quarter.
“We are bringing these things and making them available to the Private Sector Partnership (PSP) operators.
“As you are aware, the PSP operators are the major partners of LAWMA; we are a regulating agency.
“We rely on them for the job of collecting wastes from households.
“When I talk of upgrading waste management infrastructure, I also mean the introduction of transfer loading stations,” Gbadegesin said.
He said that LAWMA would revive the already existing transfer loading stations in the state.
Gbadegesin added that the authority would construct new ones in partnership with Zoomlion Nigeria.
He explained that Zoomlion was investing its own money with the construction of new transfer loading stations and material recovering facilities.
“Material recovery facility is a new kind of facility in waste management that we don’t have before now.
“Material recovery facility is a better alternative to the landfill because at that material recovery facility, we are able to separate the waste into various streams that have value including organic.
“These can be used for composite or biogas or used for animal feeds, then we can also separate the metals; separate out the plastics into textile waste,” Gbadegesin said.
He added that 95 per cent of the things thrown away could be transformed into wealth.
“This is something that will give a lot of people employment and also wealth.
“That is why we call it waste to wealth. “It is not waste unless you waste it,” Gbadegesin said.
The Ogoni people have demanded the creation of Bori State, to be formed from the Eleme, Gokana, Khana, and Tai Local Government Areas (LGAs) that make up Ogoniland.
Ogoni leaders a the a town hall meeting involving various Ogoni communities and the Ogoni Dialogue Committee in Kpor, the headquarters of Gokana LGA
They have also called for the implementation of the Ogoni Bill of Rights as a prerequisite for the proposed resumption of oil extraction in the area.
This demand was made during a town hall meeting between various Ogoni communities and the Ogoni Dialogue Committee in Kpor, the headquarters of Gokana LGA, on Sunday, February 23, 2025.
President Bola Tinubu recently met with Ogoni leaders regarding the proposed recommencement of oil activities, which had been suspended since 1993 due to unrest in the area.
The initiative is part of efforts to increase the nation’s oil production to over two million barrels per day by December.
Speaking on behalf of the Bera Community in Gokana, Mr. Goddy Baadom insisted that the creation of Bori State must be prioritised as a fundamental condition for the resumption of oil activities.
“The creation of Bori State is a necessity if oil is to be extracted in the Bera community,” he stated.
Other demands include the full implementation of the Ogoni Bill of Rights, the provision of essential amenities for Ogoni communities, and a stake in any prospective oil company that would drill oil from Ogoniland.
Addressing the Ogoni communities, Ignatius Kattey, Archbishop of Niger Delta North, Anglican Church of Nigeria, and Co-Chairman of the committee, stated that the meeting formed part of efforts to resume oil operation the area.
“This meeting has been convened to gather the views of the Ogoni people, which will assist the dialogue committee in presenting a position to the Federal Government regarding its planned oil activities in Ogoniland,” he explained.
Kattey noted that the Federal Government had demonstrated a commitment to addressing the demands of the Ogoni people, particularly through the recent establishment of the Federal University of Environment Technology in Ogoniland.
He further highlighted the government’s expedited construction of the Onne section of the East West Road project.
“Today’s town hall meeting is not merely a formality but a crucial element of the series of grassroots consultations planned by the Ogoni Dialogue Committee.
“We are here to ensure that the voices of the Ogoni people in Gokana, and indeed all Ogonis, are clearly heard in the ongoing dialogue with the Federal Government.
“We are grateful to President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers for initiating this dialogue with the people,” Kattey said.
The archbishop urged all Gokana communities to submit hard copies of their written memoranda to the committee so that they could be incorporated into the final set of demands to the government.
Earlier, the King of Gokana Kingdom, Festus Bagia, described the dialogue process as a significant milestone in the Ogoni people’s pursuit for justice and equity.
He encouraged residents to eschew violence or any action that could jeopardise the ongoing efforts to develop Ogoniland.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Monday, February 24, 2025, reaffirmed its $500 million pledge to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in a signing event during the fourth Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum.
L-R: Dr. Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; Catherine Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF; H.E. Dr. Abdullah al Rabeeah, Supervisor General of King Salman Relief and Humanitarian Centre, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization; Dr. Chris Elias, President of Global Development at the Gates Foundation and Chair of the Polio Oversight Board; and Aziz Memon, Pakistan Polio Plus Chair, Rotary International, on stage at the Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum
Dr. Abdullah al Rabeeah, Supervisor General of King Salman Relief and Humanitarian Centre, was joined by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation; Catherine Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF; Dr. Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; Dr. Chris Elias, President of Global Development at the Gates Foundation and Chair of the Polio Oversight Board; and Aziz Memon, Pakistan Polio Plus Chair, Rotary International, to sign an agreement that will help the GPEI and its partners to reach 370 million children with polio vaccines each year and stop transmission of the virus for good.
The funds were initially pledged in April 2024 at the first-ever World Economic Forum Special Meeting hosted in Riyadh.
“The world is on the path to eradicating polio once and for all, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is proud to be part of this global initiative,” said Dr. Abdullah al Rabeeah. “The Kingdom’s contribution will go toward the important work of protecting the most vulnerable children of today so that the generations of tomorrow can live free from this preventable disease.”
As a result of decades of leadership from GPEI partners, generous support from donors and the commitment of affected countries, polio cases have fallen by over 99% since the GPEI was founded in 1988. More than 20 million people are walking today who would otherwise have been paralyzed by the virus.
But fraught humanitarian crises – from parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan to Somalia and Yemen – have allowed the virus to continue paralysing the world’s most vulnerable children. In 2024, the virus returned to Gaza in the occupied Palestinian territory after 25 years to paralyse a child, a cruel reminder that as long as polio exists anywhere, children everywhere will remain at risk.
“We have come so far in our shared mission to consign polio to history, but the last mile is the hardest,” said Dr Ghebreyesus. “Finishing the job requires unwavering determination, and this generous contribution from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will help us to reach children in conflict-affected and other difficult-to-reach areas as we work together to realize our vision of a polio-free world.”
“As we saw in Gaza last year, the hard-won gains of the global eradication effort are fragile if vaccination rates are allowed to drop. With the support of committed partners like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we can better reach every child with life-saving vaccination and end polio, once and for all,” said UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell.
Today, governments and health workers, with support from the GPEI, are adapting to deliver polio vaccinations and other essential health services within humanitarian crises, while also strengthening health systems to bolster efforts in fragile contexts. Every commitment toward fully funding the GPEI’s extended 2022-2029 Strategy helps make this critical work possible.
“Just a few decades ago, polio paralysed 350,000 children each year. In 2023, that number dropped to just 12 – a testament to the unwavering commitment of countries and partners worldwide. The world is at the brink of finally eradicating this deadly disease, but reaching the finish line will require continued global leadership and support,” said Bill Gates, chair of the Gates Foundation. “Thanks to this generous contribution from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, alongside long-standing efforts of many nations, we are one step closer to a polio-free world.”
Following the signing, Dr. Abdullah al Rabeeah will join GPEI and other global leaders and health advocates for a panel discussion on the importance of reaching all children with polio vaccines, eradicating the disease for good and improving global health security.
Mike McGovern, International PolioPlus Chair, Rotary International, said: “Saudi Arabia’s $500 million contribution is a pivotal step in our mission to eradicate polio. This funding will enable Rotarians and health workers to intensify their efforts in reaching every child, ensuring that no one is left vulnerable to this preventable disease.”
Dr. Sania Nishtar, CEO, Gavi, said: “Strengthening global immunisation efforts is crucial to protecting children from preventable diseases. By enhancing immunisation, we can ensure that children everywhere are safeguarded against a range of illnesses, including polio, and move closer to a healthier, more resilient world.”
