The Minister of Environment, Abass Balarabe, has expressed optimism that solutions to the negative effects of climate change will be provided.

Speaking on Friday, in Abuja at the 9th Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers of the Pan-African Agency of the Great Green Wall, the minister expressed optimism that the deliberations of the session would provide meaningful solutions for combating the negative effects of climate change and provide an avenue to attain a healthier and greener environment for communities to thrive.

He said a conducive environment ultimately leads to productivity and a healthy lifestyle for us and our future generations, stressing that it is also on record that the 8th session of the Council commenced with a tree planting exercise, which is still maintained and sustained by the present administration.

The Minister of State for Environment, Dr Iziaq Salako, also emphasised that commitment and collaboration is now the greatest asset in the face of the many environmental challenges confronting the country.

The minister stated that the Great Green Wall initiative, a monumental project aimed at combating desertification, land degradation, and climate change, stands as a beacon of hope and unity for the continent.

Salako explained that Africa is the least contributor to creating the challenge of climate change that is disrupting societies and threatening our existence.

Africa, he said, holds the key to nature-based solutions to slow down global warming and climate change.

A representative of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, Louisa Baker, on her part, assured the agency of support in combating desertification in the country.

She observed that UNCCD has supported the Great Green Wall since its inception and called for the inculcation of the private sector in the GGW initiative.

Solutions to negative effects of climate change will be provided – Minister