Cross River State has intensified its push for global climate leadership, with Honorable Oden Ewa, the State Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, representing Governor Bassey Otu at the high-profile COP Local Leaders Forum – Pre-COP 30 Governors Roundtable in Rio de Janeiro.
The preparatory summit, hosted by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Under2 Coalition, brought together a high-level delegation featuring heads of states, government officials and state governors from regions across Africa, the Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe, to shape the next decade of sub-national climate action.
Honorable Oden Ewa used the platform to present and share Cross River State’s green ambitions, showcasing the state’s crucial role as a major contributor to Nigeria’s forest cover and its long-standing commitment to sustainability, particularly through initiatives like the REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) program.
The Commissioner stated the state is “proud to be an active member” of the Under2 Coalition, a global network representing over 1.75 billion people and half the world’s economy. This coalition is dedicated to driving bold, practical solutions toward net-zero emissions and limiting global temperature rise to 1.5^\circ\text{C} in line with the Paris Agreement.
“It was an honour to share Cross River State’s green ambitions and showcase the State’s leadership in shaping the next decade of sub-national climate action,” the Commissioner said, concluding that Cross River State “stands ready to lead the way toward a greener, more sustainable future.”
The preparatory forum sets the stage for the main event, the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP 30), which Brazil will host in Belém, Pará in November 2025.
The overarching mission of COP 30 is to be the decisive global rallying point for nations to deliver a bold and credible response to the climate crisis. Key priorities will focus on closing the ambition gap, urging countries to submit revised and enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions, accelerating the provision of climate finance, particularly for developing nations to adapt to accelerating climate impacts and addressing the critical issue of Loss and Damage.
As the “Amazon COP,” the conference will place forests and biodiversity at the heart of climate action, emphasizing their role as essential development assets and major carbon sinks.
The engagement by Cross River State at the Pre-COP event shows the vital role that sub-national governments play in achieving global climate goals.
