Vice President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday departed Abuja for Brazil, where he will represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 30th session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), scheduled to hold in Belém, Pará State, from November 6 to 7.
The summit, convened by Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in partnership with global stakeholders, is themed “Climate Action and Implementation.” It will focus on adaptation, forest preservation, biodiversity, and climate justice, drawing participation from world leaders, development partners, and business executives.
Vice President Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement on climate action during the leaders’ plenary. He will also join the launch of the Tropical Forest Forever Fund and participate in a roundtable on Climate and Nature chaired by President Lula. Later in the day, he will attend an Amazonian Cocktail for Heads of Delegation hosted by the Brazilian President.
On the second day of the summit, Shettima will join two high-level roundtables chaired by President Lula — one on energy transition and another on reviewing progress under the Paris Agreement, particularly regarding Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and climate financing.
Beyond the main conference, the Vice President is expected to hold bilateral meetings on expanding Nigeria’s participation in global carbon markets — a move projected to unlock between $2.5 billion and $3 billion annually in carbon finance over the next decade to support Nigeria’s climate objectives.
Following the COP30 engagements, Shettima will travel to Brasília for a working visit with his Brazilian counterpart, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin. The visit is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria–Brazil relations after Alckmin’s historic three-day visit to Nigeria in June, during which both countries signed several Memoranda of Understanding covering defence, agricultural technology transfer, energy cooperation, and cultural exchange.
While in Brasília, Vice President Shettima and his delegation of senior government officials will explore new areas of partnership to bolster South–South cooperation between Nigeria and Brazil.
He is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of his engagements in Brazil.
