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Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, delivered the opening remarks at the plenary session “Global Green Industrialization as a Pillar of Prosperity for All” during the International Vienna Energy and Climate Forum (IVECF) 2026, held at Hofburg Palace in Vienna, Austria.

PHOTOS: On the sidelines of the UNIDO Sustainable Cooling Forum, Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, H.E. Balarabe Abbas Lawal, met with the President of Austria, His Excellency Dr. Alexander Van der Bellen. #GreenNigeria 🌳

FULL SPEECH: WELCOME REMARKS BY BALARABE ABBAS LAWAL, MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA; AT THE UNIDO SUSTAINABLE COOLING FORUM HELD AT VIENNA INTERNATIONAL CENTRE (VIC). UN HQTRS, VIENNA, AUSTRIA 8TH APRIL, 2026. Protocol It is an honour and a privilege to address this distinguished gathering at the UNIDO Sustainable Cooling Forum here in Vienna. I warmly welcome all participants and delegates. 2.​ I wish to commend UNIDO for convening this timely platform, which brings together key stakeholders to advance practical solutions for sustainable cooling—an increasingly critical component of climate action, industrial development, and economic resilience. I also extend my sincere appreciation to the people and Government of Austria for their warm hospitality and for hosting this important event. 3.​ Sustainable cooling is vital not only for climate mitigation, but also for food security, public health, and economic productivity. Achieving this transition requires not only technology, but also skilled human capital, strong institutions, and sustained collaboration. 4.​ In Nigeria, several critical actions have been undertaken to address these challenges, including investments in technical capacity, strengthened education systems, and enhanced institutional frameworks, in line with commitments under the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment. These priorities are also reflected in Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 3.0, submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). 5.​ A key milestone is the Nigeria Cooling Action Plan (N-CAP), which provides a clear pathway for transitioning to low global warming potential and energy-efficient cooling technologies. Implementation is being advanced in collaboration with UNIDO and other partners, while supporting industries to adopt environmentally sustainable solutions. 6.​ Notwithstanding this progress, the transition to sustainable cooling demands stronger collaboration across governments, industry, financial institutions, and development partners. Addressing financing gaps, technology access, workforce development, and consumer awareness remains essential, particularly in developing countries. 7.​ Ladies and gentlemen, this Forum provides valuable opportunities to exchange knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and accelerate collective action. Nigeria remains committed to working with all partners to advance sustainable cooling as a driver of climate protection, sustainable development, and improved quality of life. 8.​ In closing, I once again thank UNIDO for its leadership and continued support to Member States. I wish this forum fruitful deliberations and a successful outcome. Thank you for your attention.

Today, I flagged off a major distribution of critical resilience assets under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (@ACReSALNigeria) project in Jalingo, Taraba State. This moment represents a significant milestone in our national efforts to combat climate change and land degradation, and I am deeply proud to have been part of it. As I addressed the dignitaries gathered, I emphasized that events like this one mark real, tangible progress toward building a more climate-resilient and prosperous Nigeria for all our people. The ACReSAL initiative, generously supported by the World Bank and focused on the drylands of northern Nigeria, is helping us restore degraded lands, secure the livelihoods of vulnerable communities, and safeguard our environment for future generations. I want to extend my profound appreciation to the Executive Governor of Taraba State, History Excellency, Dr. Agbu Kefas, for his steadfast support and visionary leadership. It is his commitment that has truly laid the foundation for the remarkable advancements we are seeing with ACReSAL here in Taraba. I also commend the State Steering Committee, the State Technical Committee, and the State Project Management Unit for their excellent cross-sectoral coordination, bringing together environment, agriculture, and water resources sectors to deliver meaningful benefits directly to our local communities. I am equally grateful to the World Bank for its enduring partnership. Their technical rigor, strict adherence to environmental and social standards, and results-oriented approach ensure that this project will deliver lasting value long after its formal close. The assets we distributed today are strategic investments aligned with ACReSAL’s core components. Under Component A (Dryland Management), we handed over 100 power tillers to Community Interest Groups and 20 tractors to all Local Government Areas. These will help modernize farming practices and promote sustainable land use across Taraba. We also provided a swamp buggy and low-bed equipment to maintain the Bobboji and Ndibam water channels—vital infrastructure that protects our communities from erosion and flooding. Under Component B (Community Climate Resilience), we distributed 1,500 clean cookstoves and solar-powered pumps. These tools will drive the adoption of clean energy, improve public health, ease pressure on our forests by reducing deforestation, and enable more sustainable irrigation for our farmers. In Component C (Institutional Strengthening), I commissioned renovated buildings and handed over brand-new Hilux vehicles to the Ministries of Agriculture, Environment, and Water Resources, as well as to the Taraba Environmental Protection Agency (TEPA). We also delivered modern laboratory equipment to TEPA, significantly boosting their long-term capacity to monitor and protect our natural resources. With the project’s Mid-Term Review fast approaching, I am proud to say that Taraba stands out as one of the leading performers in ACReSAL implementation nationwide. The assets flagged off today will feature prominently when we report to our partners, demonstrating concrete delivery on our commitments to expand sustainable landscape management across northern Nigeria. Looking ahead, ACReSAL is scheduled to conclude on March 31, 2028. I am therefore calling on the Taraba State Government and all stakeholders to urgently develop and prioritize a robust sustainability plan; one that emphasizes local ownership and institutionalized maintenance frameworks so that these tractors, laboratory equipment, restored water channels, and other assets continue to serve our communities for decades to come. This is not just about today’s handover; it is about securing a resilient tomorrow for Taraba and for Nigeria. #GreenNigeria 🌳

Minister of @FMEnvng @BalarabeAbbas_ , has launched the 2nd Subnational Climate Governance Performance Ranking (SCGPR 2.0) in Abuja assessing how states tackle climate change.

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture OYO STATE NCCRP Yoruba V... youtu.be/JWTJ2iDDVns?si… via @YouTube

Have you noticed change in weather patterns? Listen to experts as they explore different aspects of climate change @FMEnvng @NCCCNigeria @FMEnvng

📍Tune in today - “Àwa ará ìlú ní à ń ṣe ohun tí ó pọ̀jù tí ó ń fa àyípadà ojú ọjọ́ àti ìgbóná ayé, àwa ní à ń da ìdọ̀tí sí inú àgbàrá, àwa náà ni à ń gé igi tí a kò ní gbìn òmíràn padà. @EUinNigeria @FMEnvng @NCCCNigeria

“Ó yẹ kí gbogbo wa máa ṣe kòkárí lórí gbogbo nkan kí á sì má máa hù ìwà kò kàn mí”

When it comes to #climatechange we should all play our parts responsibly - Hajiya Usman

🗣️Say NO to plastic ......tune in today on OGBC Radio

Ọ̀nà kan tó gbéṣẹ́ téèyàn lè gbà bójú tó ìdọ̀tí ni ṣíṣàtúnlò. @EUinNigeria @FMEnvng @NCCCNigeria

One effective method of managing waste is through recycling. ♻️ @EUinNigeria @FMEnvng @NCCCNigeria

How @MBuhari elevated Nigeria’s global standing in #climatechangediplomacy – @OnuigboSI environewsnigeria.com/how-buhari-ele… via @environewsng @BalarabeAbbas_ @FMEnvCCNG @NCCCSNigeria @NCCRP2020 @CSDevNet1 @society_planet @miketerungwa @OlumideIDOWU @gboyenautics

@BauchiState validates #climatechangepolicy to combat #foodinsecurity environewsnigeria.com/bauchi-validat… via @environewsng @gifsep4climate @miketerungwa @TerrenceMJ @FmardNg @FMEnvCCNG @NCCCSNigeria @NCCRP2020 @_Oruhnc @society_planet @digitalmamabola

📍From @NCCRP2020 Save our Planet episodes, we learnt that it is crucial to include #women in decision making processes for implementing #climatechange adaptation strategies in #Nigeria. @EUinNigeria @NCCCSNigeria @FMEnvng

Environment stewardship is everyone's responsibility 🌎🌍🌏 #leavenoonebehind @EUinNigeria @NCCCSNigeria @FMEnvng

Beating the Heat! #Kano State Afforestation Project 🌲🌲🌲youtu.be/JJZTc1c7oTA?si… via @YouTube @FMEnvng @NCCCSNigeria @EUinNigeria #ClimateAction #Nigeria

FACT ▶️ If #climatechange continues #Nigeria economy will face severe challenges - Ishak Malam Yahya @EUinNigeria @NCCCSNigeria @FMEnvng