The Federal Government has said that Nigeria and other African countries are the most affected by the biodiversity crisis and climate change, and called for policy instruments that will mainstream its elements into broader strategies and plans.

Minister of State for Environment, Dr Iziaq Salako, stated this in his presentation during the Validation Workshop on National Biodiversity Targets and Indicators for Early Action Support Project to Implementation of Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in Abuja.

He explained that African countries are leading the way on how to protect the planet’s biodiversity, saying, they are accelerating action towards achieving the vision for biodiversity and living in harmony with nature by 2050.

“As stakeholders in this important process, we have a crucial role to play in ensuring we jointly define measures that are bold enough to preserve the biodiversity we cherish, the natural resources on which our survival depends.”

He argued that the African environment and resources, including that of Nigeria, have been hit hard by decades and centuries of exploitation mostly perpetrated by other countries, especially in the global north.

“And now our environments, our wildlife, our lands, and our peoples are most at risk. Our gathering is therefore a crucial milestone in this journey and a firm demonstration of our resolve to confront the catastrophe.”

Explaining further, he maintained, “We will act together with the boldest ambition to protect species threatened by over-exploitation, expand and strengthen our protected areas, set smart targets and indicators as effective measures in the recovery of our natural world.

“We must use all of the tools at our disposal to reduce the threats to biodiversity, and the framework is guiding our way. The African continent is more vulnerable to climate change, species loss, and biodiversity destruction than any other.”

The minister, therefore, regretted that the African continent is more vulnerable to climate change, species loss, and biodiversity destruction than any other, adding that the policy instrument will mainstream its elements with broader strategies and plans.