DETERMINED to ensure sustainable development and attainment of green economy, the Federal government has held discussions with the senior officials of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Abuja, towards strengthening partnership and deepening environmental development in the country.

   The meeting between officials of the Federal Ministry of Environment, led by the new Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Nana Fatima Mede and the UNDP Country Director, Pa Lamin Beyai was held at the headquarters of the development agency in Asokoro area as part of the ministry’s working visit to UNDP.   

  Mede who assumed duties at the ministry three months ago, noted that due to the vastness of the country, Nigeria’s national circumstances range specifically from geographical location and political structure, climate, relief and drainage, vegetation, soil, population, demographic structure, settlement patterns to coastal environment.

    She said: “In such a country, with the typical national circumstances, there are bound to be various challenges, and in particular diverse environmental challenges ranging from pollution, climate change, drought and desertification, forestry and land degradation to human settlement.”

 According to her, Government has been trying to surmount these environmental problems but with full recognition of strategic partnership, especially with UNDP’s assistance in the process.

   “UNDP in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Environment will successfully ensure that by 2020 Nigeria is on a peaceful, secure and sustainable development path where disaster, environmental, climate and conflict risks and threats are mitigated by policies, laws and plans that are participatory and gender responsive,” she said.  

   The Permanent Secretary said: “We look forward to strengthening our partnership to ensure good governance, secure sustainable development path where disaster, environmental, climate and conflict risks and threats are mitigated by policies, laws and plans that are participatory and gender responsive.”

     The Country Director congratulated the Permanent Secretary, on her recent appointment and assured her of UNDP’s readiness to work with the ministry  in the attainment of her vision for the nation’s sustainable development.  

     He disclosed that UNDP partnership with the ministry over the years, have built an enduring relationship, which has recorded a lot of successes. Amongst the areas are review of the National Environment Policy, Development of a Climate Change Policy for Nigeria, Stronger Climate Change Negotiators, CSOs inclusion in the National Council on Environment, Funds for the Reducing Emissions form Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+), Phase out of Ozone Depletion Substances (ODS) and Commitment to Environment Agenda of Nigeria through the Ministry of Environment.

       Beyai wants the partnership to be strengthened further in preparation for the outcomes of the Post 2015 MDG Dialogues and Climate Change Summit Talks in Paris.