Locations
Your Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
Your Excellencies, the Executive Governors and Governors of the eight territories of the Lake Chad Basin region,
Your Excellency, Ambassador Mamman Nuhu, Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and Head of Mission of the Multinational Joint Task Force,
Your Excellency, Amb. Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, African Union Commission,
Your Excellency, SRSGs Leonardo Santos Simão of UNOWAS,
Your Excellency, SRSG Abdou Abarry UNOCA,
Distinguished Representatives of the International Support Group,
Distinguished Representative of the African Union Commission,
Excellencies, Ambassadors, Heads of Diplomatic Missions,
Honorable Partners, Esteemed Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Good morning.
It is both a privilege and a profound responsibility to address this distinguished assembly at the 5th Governors’ Forum of the Lake Chad Basin. Let me begin by expressing the deepest regret of Madam Ahunna, the UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa, who was held up at the last minute by an urgent duty in New York. She would have wanted to be here in person, as she has done since the initiation of this forum.
I want to thank my brother Ambassador Nuhu and the Lake Chad Basin Commission, the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, our host, His Excellency Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, and the Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, for their steadfast leadership.
I also want to thank our partners at the International Support Group for their continuous support over these years. Your unwavering commitment has brought us to this pivotal moment, and we shall continue to rely on our honest and open partnership with you to support our government’s efforts to stabilize and make this region resilient.
We gathered here at a time when this state and region have witnessed the fury of nature. Therefore, I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the governors and the people of Borno State in Nigeria and Maroua in Cameroon, who have been severely affected by the recent devastating floods. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost loved ones and the communities grappling with the aftermath of this disaster. These floods are a stark reminder of the intensifying impacts of climate change and the urgent need for collective action to build resilience and mitigate future risks.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Today, we stand at a crossroads for the Lake Chad Basin—a region marked by its resilience and promise but also by profound challenges. Together, through the Regional Strategy for Stabilization, Recovery, and Resilience of the Boko Haram-affected areas, we have achieved remarkable progress.
Essential infrastructure has been rehabilitated, displaced populations are beginning to return home, and livelihoods are being restored. Communities that were once engulfed in despair now dare to hope again. These strides represent not only our collective determination but also the extraordinary strength of the people and governments of the Lake Chad Basin.
Yet, as we reflect on these achievements, we must confront the stark realities that persist. The region remains at the epicenter of converging crises: the devastating impacts of climate change, protracted insecurity, and the human toll of forced displacement. Recent flooding in Borno State and Northern Cameroon has displaced countless families, further straining vulnerable communities. These climate- induced disasters underscore the urgency of investing in resilience and adaptation measures.
Additionally, the ongoing crisis in Sudan has profoundly impacted Chad and the wider Lake Chad Basin region. Millions have been forced into displacement, crossing borders into Chad, where the humanitarian and development systems are under immense pressure. This influx has created immediate humanitarian needs and placed a long-term strain on the region’s stability and resources, highlighting the interconnected nature of our challenges.
These challenges are not merely statistics; they are lived realities, exemplified by the story of acourageous mother in Nigeria who risked everything to protect her daughters from violence. Like many others, her resilience must drive us to act with urgency and purpose.
This forum—a vital platform for regional cooperation—offers us an invaluable opportunity to reshape the future. It calls for a paradigm shift in our engagement. We must prioritize inclusion, accountability, and solidarity, tackling root causes rather than symptoms. Governance must be strengthened, youth and women empowered, and climate adaptation accelerated. By investing in people and communities, we lay the foundation for enduring peace and stability.Matthias Z. Naab, Director, UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa
The launch of the new Phase of the Regional Stabilization Facility and the Lake Chad Basin Regional Strategy for Stabilization, Recovery, and Resilience are milestones worth celebrating. These initiatives embody our collective resolve to continue to deliver meaningful change. They also underscore the need for partnerships that are agile, inclusive, and aligned with the aspirations of the region’s people. UNDP remains steadfast in its commitment to these efforts, channeling resources through mechanisms like the Nexus Funding Facility to enhance resilience, expand economic opportunities, and rebuild trust between citizens and institutions.
Also, UNDP is resolute in advancing the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda, fostering women’s leadership, and addressing sexual and gender-based violence. Sustainable development, intertwined with environmental stewardship, must remain central to our endeavors as we navigate the complex interplay of humanitarian, recovery, and development needs.
Excellencies, distinguished participants,
Our shared mission is to transform the trials of today into the triumphs of tomorrow. Over the coming days, let us harness this forum as a platform for action. Let us innovate, collaborate, and ensure that the voices of women, youth, and displaced communities guide our strategies.
The people of the Lake Chad Basin are counting on us. They look to us for hope, security, and opportunity.
Together, we have proven what can be achieved. Let us commit to accelerating progress, ensuring no one is left behind. With unity, vision, and determination, we can transform this region into a beacon of stability and prosperity.
Thank you.
