By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Vice President Kashim Shettima has left Abuja for Belem, Brazil, where he will represent President Bola Tinubu at the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference, set to begin Tuesday, November 6.
Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communication, Stanley Nkwocha, confirmed the development in a statement titled ‘VP Shettima Departs Abuja For 30th UN Climate Change Summit In Belem, Brazil’ released on Tuesday.
Hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in partnership with international stakeholders, the two-day summit will take place in the Amazonian capital of Pará state.
The event, themed “Climate Action and Implementation,” will focus on adaptation, forest protection, biodiversity, and climate justice.
Shettima will join world leaders, global development partners, and business executives for the high-level sessions.
“On the first day of engagements in Belem, Senator Shettima will attend the general plenary of leaders where he is expected to present Nigeria’s climate action address,” the statement read.
He is also scheduled to participate in the launch of the Tropical Forest Forever Fund and take part in a roundtable on Climate and Nature chaired by President Lula. Later, he will attend an Amazonian Cocktail for heads of delegation hosted by the Brazilian President.
On the second day, Shettima will take part in two additional roundtables, also chaired by Lula, focusing on energy transition and the review of the Paris Agreement, particularly the implementation of countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions and the global climate finance framework.
On the sidelines of the summit, the Vice President is expected to hold bilateral meetings to enhance Nigeria’s participation in global carbon markets. These discussions are projected to help Nigeria unlock an estimated $2.5bn–$3bn annually in carbon finance over the next decade, aiding the country in meeting its emission reduction goals.
Following the summit, Shettima will travel to Brasília for a reciprocal diplomatic visit to his Brazilian counterpart, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, who visited Nigeria in June. That visit included the signing of several MoUs covering defence, agriculture, energy, and cultural exchange.
While in Brasília, Shettima will lead bilateral talks aimed at deepening Nigeria–Brazil South–South cooperation. The Vice President is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of his engagements in Brazil.