Mohammed Abdullahi, Minister of Environment, representing the Nigeria President Mr Muhammadu Buhari in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, at the ongoing 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) has made the call on Monday on the sidelines of the event reiterating urgent actions from particularly developed countries, to tackle the effects of climate change in Africa

 “Without a doubt, we are at a critical time with respect to the world’s climate future and our actions today and over the next few decades will determine the fate of future generations and the planet.

“This year, we have witnessed disastrous extreme weather events from terrifying wildfires in the United States, to unprecedented heat waves in India, Pakistan, and Europe, to intense floods in my country, Nigeria.

“For developing nations, particularly in Africa who, despite contributing the least to both historical and current emissions, are facing climate impacts to a disproportionate degree, the case for accelerated climate action is even more pressing.

“We need to see urgent and decisive climate action from the countries most responsible for the emissions that cause climate change.

“We cannot afford any more delays; our people and nations are on the line. The blame game should stop, affirmative and positive commitment to address these challenges must begin now.” Mohammed Abdullahi, Minister of Environment, stated’

Simon Stiell, the new Executive Secretary of the UN Climate Convention (UNFCCC), said on Sunday at the opening of COP27.

“Today a new era begins – and we begin to do things differently. Paris gave us the agreement. Katowice and Glasgow gave us the plan. Sharm el-Sheik shifts us to implementation. No one can be a mere passenger on this journey. This is the signal that times have changed,” Mr. Stiell told delegates gathered in the main plenary room of the Tonino Lamborghini International Convention Centre.

The UN climate chief said leaders –be they Presidents, Prime Ministers or CEOs – would be held to account for promises they made last year in Glasgow.

The COP 27-UNFCCC convention entered into force on 21 March 1994 to prevent “dangerous” human interference with the climate system. Is today ratified by 198 countries, it has near-universal membership. The Paris Agreement, agreed in 2016, works as an extension of that convention.