Bayelsa To Host Global Governance Secretariat For River Delta Protection
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has approved the hosting of the governance secretariat of DeltasUNite, a global environmental initiative aimed at protecting river deltas and promoting their sustainable development.
Diri disclosed this on Monday while speaking at the opening of the three-day 5th United Nations Ocean Decade Conference on Mega Deltas and the commencement of China-Africa cooperation on river, coastal zone and delta governance at East China Normal University in Shanghai, China.
The conference attracted participants from about 23 countries, including United Nations officials, policymakers, researchers, academics, environmental non-governmental organisations and representatives of communities affected by environmental challenges.
The governor expressed support for the proposed United Nations Convention on River Deltas (UNCRD), noting that the establishment of the DeltasUNite Governance Secretariat in Bayelsa would provide a platform for communities, scientists, governments and investors to collaborate on practical solutions to the environmental challenges confronting river deltas worldwide.
Diri, who chaired the opening session, also called for stronger China-Africa cooperation in the sustainable management of river basins, coastal zones and deltas.
He said the proposed secretariat would help stakeholders identify priorities, share scientific evidence and develop practical, bankable solutions that benefit both local communities and ecosystems.
“I have approved the DeltasUNite Governance Secretariat in my state of Bayelsa. It will serve as our platform to bring communities, scientists, governments and indeed investors to identify priorities, share evidence, and shape practical, bankable responses,” he said.
The governor stressed that sustainable solutions must involve communities directly affected by environmental challenges, while ensuring that investments deliver benefits for both people and the environment.
He added that his support for the proposed United Nations Convention on River Deltas was driven by the need to establish a stronger international framework for protecting vulnerable delta regions.
“Advancing such a proposal will require sound science, broad consultations, engagement by national and sub-national governments, and the appropriate international processes,” Diri stated.
He said the initiative aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goals Six, 13, 14 and 17, which address clean water and sanitation, climate action, life below water, and partnerships for sustainable development.
According to him, the initiative also has implications for poverty reduction, food security and gender equality, particularly as environmental challenges increasingly threaten livelihoods, water supplies and access to education.
Diri noted that women and girls often bear a disproportionate burden of environmental shocks, making their inclusion in sustainable development policies essential.
He further emphasised the connection between activities in upstream areas and their effects on downstream communities, calling for greater collaboration among states and countries to address shared environmental challenges.
“My state of Bayelsa is ready to share what we are learning, to learn from other states and countries, to deepen cooperation through the DeltasUNite, and our international partnerships,” he said.
The governor urged stakeholders to combine diplomatic engagement, scientific research and meaningful community participation in developing sustainable solutions to the challenges facing rivers, coastlines and delta regions.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the African Centre for Climate Actions and Rural Development (ACCARD) and international facilitator of the DeltasUNite initiative, Mr. Freeman Oluowo, commended the Bayelsa State Government and Diri for supporting the initiative.
Oluowo also praised the governor's bottom-up leadership approach, saying it created opportunities for indigenous people and local communities to participate in decision-making processes affecting their environment and livelihoods.
He expressed optimism that the proposed United Nations Convention on River Deltas would become a reality, disclosing that work on the initiative had reached the White Paper report stage.
According to him, the report would soon be submitted to the United Nations, after which further engagement with stakeholders across delta regions would continue towards advancing the proposed convention.
Oluowo explained that DeltasUNite had received United Nations recognition and approval as an initiative, adding that sustained action and collaboration among stakeholders were necessary to advance its objectives.
Members of the governor's entourage included the Commissioner for Environment, Ebi Ololo; the Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Mrs. Faith Zibs-Godwin; and the Technical Adviser on International Development and Liaison, Mrs. Funkazi Koroye-Crooks.
