The United Nations commends Niger's commitment to the green economy initiative.

The Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed, offered heartfelt praise for the Niger government's groundbreaking strides in advancing the green economy within the nation. This commendation took place during the inaugural Green Economy Summit held in Minna, under the leadership

of Governor Mohammed Bago. Spanning from a Tuesday's commencement to its culmination on the subsequent Wednesday, the summit represented a monumental leap forward in the pursuit of sustainable economic practices. Ms. Mohammed underscored that the era of relying exclusively on oil-driven energy expansion was approaching its twilight, emphasizing the pressing need to liberate ourselves from the chains of fossil fuel dependence.

In a fervent address, Ms. Mohammed championed Nigeria's role in pioneering a fundamental shift, one that prioritizes inclusivity and directs resources towards the adoption of clean, renewable energy sources. She envisioned Niger as the vanguard of this transformative odyssey, asserting that embracing the green economy would ignite a new era of comprehensive and sustainable progress, particularly benefiting the burgeoning youth demographic.

The UN's Deputy Chief lavished praise upon the Niger government for unveiling the blueprint for a green economy, regarding the summit as a pivotal juncture not only for Nigeria but for the entire African continent. She astutely pointed out that Nigeria, in tandem with other African nations, grappled with a convergence of challenges, encompassing soaring living costs, food insecurity, and the ominous specter of climate change.

With unswerving conviction, Ms. Mohammed emphasized that these challenges transcended borders and wielded profound, intergenerational ramifications. Thus, in the quest to forge pathways towards green economic development, it is paramount to recognize Africa's role as the steward of a significant portion of the world's natural resources, with Niger standing as a bona fide treasure trove of mineral wealth.

Ms. Mohammed stressed that Niger occupied a unique position to spearhead sustainable growth through investments in energy, viewing it as a pivotal stride towards a more environmentally conscious future. She underscored, however, that this undertaking necessitated audacious investments in the state's most invaluable asset: its people. People, she contended, were not merely passive beneficiaries of development, but the very architects propelling its realization.

This transformative vision, Ms. Mohammed asserted, demanded visionary leadership, unwavering commitment, and collaborative partnerships to devise integrated solutions capable of addressing the intricate challenges at hand. She reiterated that the days of relying solely on oil-driven energy were numbered, as global progress towards mitigating the climate crisis remained painstakingly sluggish, with the trajectory undeniably clear.

In her closing remarks, Ms. Mohammed emphatically stated that a sustained reliance on global oil reserves was untenable. The imperative, she stressed, was to sever ties with fossil fuels and lay the groundwork for a robust, reliable, clean, and affordable energy infrastructure accessible to all.