President Bola Tinubu has mandated the creation of a new portal designed to curtail the number of government-sponsored delegates attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 29) in Azerbaijan, which is set to take place from November 11 to 22.
The directive, revealed on Tuesday by Ajuri Ngelale, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, is part of an effort to address public concerns regarding the large number of delegates sent to previous conferences.
The newly introduced platform, known as the Climate Accountability and Transparency Portal, is expected to reduce government expenditure by over ₦10 billion during the 11-day event.
This portal will only authorize the sponsorship of delegates who are actively involved in climate-related initiatives.
Developed in partnership with the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), led by Director-General Nkiruka Maduekwe, the platform will transparently list all government-sponsored participants from various governmental bodies.
The portal will enable Nigerians to see, in real-time, the list of delegates funded by the government, ensuring that each delegate attending COP 29 has a valid economic purpose, such as engaging with international partners and stakeholders to attract funding and opportunities for Nigeria.
The initiative is part of a broader effort by the government to restore public confidence and improve efficiency in its climate-related activities.
