Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Belem, Brazil, where he will represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference scheduled to begin on Tuesday, November 6.
The development was confirmed in a statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, titled “VP Shettima Departs Abuja for 30th UN Climate Change Summit in Belem, Brazil.”
Hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in collaboration with international stakeholders, the two-day summit will take place in the Amazonian capital of Pará state.
This year’s theme, “Climate Action and Implementation,” centers on adaptation, forest protection, biodiversity, and climate justice.
According to the statement, Shettima will join global leaders, development partners, and business executives for several high-level engagements.
On the opening day, he is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national address during the general plenary of leaders.
The Vice President will also participate in the launch of the Tropical Forest Forever Fund and attend a roundtable discussion on Climate and Nature chaired by President Lula.
Later, he will be hosted at an Amazonian Cocktail for heads of delegation.
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Day two of the conference will feature sessions on energy transition and the review of the Paris Agreement, with focus on implementing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and strengthening global climate finance systems.
On the sidelines of the summit, Shettima will hold strategic bilateral meetings to advance Nigeria’s participation in global carbon markets — a move projected to unlock between $2.5 billion and $3 billion annually in carbon finance for the country over the next decade.
Following the summit, the Vice President will proceed to Brasília for a reciprocal diplomatic visit to his Brazilian counterpart, Geraldo Alckmin, continuing discussions that began during Alckmin’s visit to Nigeria in June.
That visit had produced several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) across defence, agriculture, energy, and cultural exchange sectors.
Shettima is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of his official engagements in Brazil.