Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, has called for stronger global partnerships, increased climate financing and greater support for subnational governments, insisting that states and local authorities are central to tackling the global climate crisis.
Otu made the call while speaking at a high-level session during the 2026 London Climate Action Week held at Chatham House in London, according to a statement issued on Sunday.
The governor joined fellow state leaders, mayors and international policymakers to deliberate on climate resilience, sustainable development and locally driven solutions to environmental challenges.
London Climate Action Week is one of the world’s largest independent climate gatherings, attracting more than 75,000 participants annually to advance practical solutions and accelerate global climate action.
The Chatham House session, themed “Can Cities and States Lead the Shift to Climate Resilience?”, featured Governor Otu alongside Eileen Higgins and Wade Crowfoot.
Discussions focused on the growing role of subnational governments in delivering practical climate solutions despite mounting fiscal and geopolitical challenges.
Addressing participants, Otu highlighted Cross River State’s environmental credentials, including its expansive rainforest, renewable energy initiatives and climate governance reforms.
“Cross River has consistently demonstrated that environmental conservation and economic development can go hand in hand.
Our rainforest remains one of Africa’s greatest ecological treasures, and we are committed to preserving it while creating sustainable economic opportunities for our people,” he said.
The governor stressed that while international climate agreements establish the framework for action, implementation largely rests with states and local governments.
“The future of climate action depends not only on national commitments but on empowering subnational governments to deliver measurable results. Climate resilience is built community by community, state by state.
Local solutions deserve global partnerships, greater financing and stronger international support,” Otu said.
He noted that states are often at the forefront of responding to environmental challenges because of their proximity to communities and local infrastructure, making them indispensable in global climate adaptation efforts.
Otu also urged development partners and international financial institutions to expand access to climate finance for subnational governments, particularly those protecting globally significant ecosystems.
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“States like Cross River that continue to protect globally significant forests should not be left to shoulder that responsibility alone. Climate finance must become more accessible to subnational governments implementing credible and impactful environmental programmes.
The solutions already exist; what is needed is the political will and equitable investment to scale them,” he added.
The discussions coincided with renewed global concern over the worsening effects of climate change. During the opening session of London Climate Action Week, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned that Europe’s unprecedented heatwave underscored the urgency of climate action.
“London isn’t just calling, it’s cooking,” Guterres remarked, urging governments worldwide to move beyond commitments and significantly increase investments in climate adaptation and resilience, particularly in vulnerable regions.
Participants at the forum agreed that resilience, adaptation and locally led initiatives must now receive the same level of attention as emissions reduction, stressing the importance of practical investments to help communities withstand climate-related shocks.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to environmental sustainability, Otu said Cross River would continue to champion policies aimed at protecting forests, expanding renewable energy, strengthening climate governance and improving livelihoods.
“Cross River will continue to champion policies that safeguard our forests, expand renewable energy, strengthen climate governance and improve livelihoods.
We are ready to work with governments, investors and development partners across the world because climate change demands collective action.
Together, we can bridge the gap between global commitments and tangible local impact,” the governor said to applause as the session concluded.