By SALISU SANI-IDRIS

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Brazil to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 30th session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference.

Mr Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice-President, made this known in a statement on in Abuja on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference tagged COP30 is scheduled to hold from Nov. 6 to 7 in the city of Belém, capital of the state of Pará, in the Brazilian Amazon.

It will be convened by Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in collaboration with other partners.

Nkwocha said VP Shettima is billed to join other world leaders, development partners and business executives at the event.

According to him, the theme of the conference is “Climate Action and Implementation,” with a strong focus on adaptation, forests, biodiversity, and climate justice.

He explained that on the first day of engagements in Belem, Shettima will attend the general plenary of leaders where he is expected to present Nigeria’s climate action address.

Nkwocha added that Shettima would take part in the inauguration of the Tropical Forest Forever Fund, and participate in a roundtable chaired by President Lula on Climate and Nature.

According to him, similarly, Vice-President Shettima will attend an Amazonian Cocktail for Heads of Delegation, hosted by the President of Brazil.

On the second day of the summit, Nkwocha said VP Shettima will participate in two roundtables chaired by President Lula on energy transition.

“And the review of the Paris Agreement, with a focus on Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Financing.”

On the sidelines of the event, the spokesperson said Shettima will hold bilateral meetings on establishing and managing Nigeria’s participation in the carbon markets.

This, according to him, is with a view to enable Nigeria to unlock between 2.5 billion dollars and three billion dollars annually in carbon finance over the next decade to help meet climate goals.

Nkwocha disclosed that at the conclusion of his COP 30 engagements, Shettima will proceed to the city of Brasilia for a reciprocal visit to his Brazilian counterpart, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin.

He recalled that Alckmin had in June this year paid a historic three-day visit to Nigeria.

He said in the city of Brasilia, the Vice President, accompanied by top Nigerian government officials, will engage with his Brazilian counterpart to further deepen Nigeria’s South-South diplomatic ties.

According to him, the Vice-President is expected back in Nigeria at the end of his engagements in Brazil. (NAN)