COP 29: Tinubu launches portal to streamline govt delegates to Azerbaijan

In a bid to save about N10 billion, President Bola Tinubu announced the establishment of a new portal to streamline the number of government-sponsored delegates to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 29) in Azerbaijan.

In a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, after a media briefing at the State House on Tuesday, the newly launched platform, called the Climate Accountability and Transparency Portal, is expected to save Nigeria over N10 billion during the 11-day conference.

He stated that the government will only sponsor delegates who are directly involved in climate-related activities through the portal.

The portal will be developed in collaboration with the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), headed by Director-General Mrs. Nkiruka Maduekwe.

It will serve as a transparent platform, listing all government-sponsored attendees from various ministries, departments, agencies, and the legislative branch, he said.

Ngelale said: “This initiative is in direct response to public criticism over the excessive number of delegates sent to the previous climate conference in Dubai, many of whom had no substantive role in the proceedings.

“The Climate Accountability and Transparency Portal will provide Nigerians with full, real-time access to the list of government-sponsored delegates attending COP 29.

“This ensures that every delegate has a legitimate economic reason to be at the conference, engaging with companies, multilateral partners, and stakeholders to attract finance and opportunities into the country for the benefit of our people.”

He further noted that the platform represents a significant step towards restoring public confidence in the government’s climate-related activities, highlighting that COP 29 is just the beginning of a broader effort to audit and rectify past inefficiencies.

“We are poised to save over ₦10 billion during this 11-day event in November. The President remains committed to ensuring that Nigerians trust the government’s actions as we move forward. COP 29 is just the start,” Ngelale added.