Micah Baksh

Nigeria
UNEP
Leysin American School

Topic: The role of sustainable agriculture in mitigating climate change

Economic Factos:

● Internal Displacement: Nigeria has a large number of internally displaced persons (IDPs)
due to conflicts, particularly in the northeast region, where Boko Haram insurgency has
caused significant displacement.

● GDP: Nigeria had a GDP of around $448 billion USD, a GDP that flucantes between the
highest within Africa

● While oil is by far the pirmary economic contributor, the Nigerian government has been
making efforts to diversify its economy away from oil by promoting sectors like
agriculture and manufacturing.

● Food Insecurity: Food security is a concern in Nigeria, with millions of people in need of
assistance, and humanitarian organizations are involved in providing food aid and
support.

● Economic Diversification: There are ongoing efforts to diversify the Nigerian economy
beyond oil, with a focus on sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and services.

● Investment in infrastructure, such as roads and power generation, is a priority to support

economic growth and within their fiscal policies.

Politcal/Humanitarian Factors:

● Refugee Hosting: Nigeria also hosts refugees from neighboring countries like Cameroon
and Niger, and humanitarian agencies provide assistance to both refugees and host
communities.
 ● Terrorism: The country faces security challenges from groups like Boko Haram, and joint
military operations with neighboring countries are conducted to combat terrorism.

● Military Budget: The military budget varies from year to year, but it is essential for
addressing security challenges.

● Access to Clean Water: Access to clean and safe drinking water remains a challenge in
many areas of Nigeria, leading to health issues such as cholera and polio.

● Given Nigeria's vulnerability to natural disasters, disaster preparedness and response

are critical aspects of humanitarian efforts.

● Key stakeholders include major greenhouse gas emitters like China, the United States,
the European Union, and emerging economies such as India and Brazil.

Technological Factors:

● Tech Startups: Nigeria has a growing technology ecosystem, particularly in cities like
Lagos, with numerous tech startups and entrepreneurs working on various innovations.

● Investment in Tech: The Nigerian government and private investors have shown interest
in supporting the technology sector, leading to increased investment in areas like fintech,
e-commerce, and digital services.

● Security Challenges: Nigeria faces security challenges not only through cybersecurity,
but including insurgency and ethnic conflicts.

● Nigeria has witnessed a fintech boom, with companies offering digital payment solutions,
lending platforms, and blockchain-based services. Stay updated on the latest
developments.

● technology is being used to improve agriculture in Nigeria, including precision farming,

agribusiness platforms, and digital marketplaces for farmers.

The Role of Sustainable Agriculture in Mitigating Climate Change

The Federal Republic of Nigeria, as a member of the United Nations Environment Program,
recognizes the immediate need to address the issue of climate change through sustainable
agricultural practices. Climate change, primarily driven by greenhouse gases and carbon
emissions, poses a severe threat to the global environment, economies, and food security.
Nigeria acknowledges that the widespread and global challenges faced by climate change
demands a solution that yields collective action. The UNEP committee of Nigeria and Columbia
supports the international cooperation and coordination to reduce emissions, enhance climate
resilience, and promote sustainable land use. Additionally, the committee wants to further
promote knowledge sharing and capacity building, particularly across developing countries, to
ensure the successful implementation of sustainable agricultural practices. As a precuation for
the global detimrents of climate change such as environmental degradation, and resource
conflicts, it is critical that UNEP fosters international collaboration to mitigate these impacts.
Although there have been numerous advancements made in the past, such as the creation of
the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Paris Agreement in 2015,
which set emission reduction objectives. Extreme weather occurrences, increasing sea levels,
and concerns to food security are making the issue even more serious. It is crucial for UNEP
and its member states, including Columbia and Nigeria, to step up efforts to address this global
catastrophe and promote sustainable agriculture as a key solution as the world struggles with
the continued effects of climate change.

Nigeria’s realtion with the Role of Sustainable Agriculture in Mitigating Climate Change

Nigeria is deeply committed to addressing the challenges of climate change on a global scale.
Through not only a shift towards more sustainable agriculture practices but green farming
techniques like vertical farming. Nigeria also recognizes the role of agriculture in not only
feeding its population but also in promoting enviromental sustainability and resiclance.
Throughout Nigeria's history, the nation has struggled with environmental challenges as a result
of increasing climate change. Prolonged droughts and desertification have fuled conflicts over
scarce water resources furthering the displacement of various communities. Even across
Nigreia’s coastal regions rising sea levels have endangered livelihoods and infrastructure.
These experiences only further highlight Nigeria's commitment to finding sustainable solutions
to mitigate climate change effects.

Nigeria actively promotes the transition from resource intensive farming to sustainable
agricultural practices. These include crop diversification, vertical farming, soil conservation, and
efficient water management. Nigeria has already launched initiatives to encourage farmers to
adopt climate conscious agricultural practices to enhance resilience and reduce emissions.
Nigeria also recognizes the importance of internatinola cooperation when addressing such
widespread issues like climate chnage. Nigeria is committed to collaborating with fellow African
nations, especially within the ECOWAS and African Union members, to exchange knowledge,
technology, and resources for sustainable agriculture. Nigeria's position aligns closely with its
African allies of ECOWAS and all African Union member states. These nations share the
common interests of addressing climate change and promoting sustainable agriculture to
ensure food security, economic stability, and environmental sustainability. Nigeria is actively
supporting regional initiatives to foster climate resilience and sustainable development. Without
the proper action and international collabertion,environmental deterioration threatens
agricultural productivity, food security, and water resources, impacting millions of populations
globally. Nigeria is determined to address these challenges to prevent conflicts and safeguard
the health/longevity of its citizens.

In conclusion, Nigeria is committed to the advancement of sustainable agriculture in order to

mitigate climate change. Nigeria urges all delegates to assume a greener and more sustainable
agriculture practices; acknowledging the responsibility of the international community to combat
climate change and promote sustainable development. We strive to achieve collaboration within
this committee to build a sustainable and resilient future for all.

Proposals

1. Calls upon member states and relevant international organizations to provide technical and
financial assistance to developing countries, including Nigeria, for the adoption of
climate-resilient agricultural practices;

2. Encourages the establishment of knowledge-sharing platforms and partnerships among

member states to facilitate the exchange of best practices in sustainable agriculture;

3. Urges the development of educational programs and training initiatives aimed at building the
capacity of farmers and agricultural workers in climate-smart agriculture;

4. Requests the creation of a dedicated fund within the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to support sustainable agriculture projects and initiatives in
developing countries;

5. Calls for the integration of climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies into national
agricultural policies, with a focus on promoting crop diversification and soil conservation.