Brazilian Agency Seeks Collaboration With Great Green Wall On Desert Conservation

The President of Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), Mr. Jorge Viana, has expressed the commitment of the agency to collaborate with the National Agency for the Great Green Wall ( NAGGW) to learn from Nigeria’s efforts in forest and desert conservation.

Viana stated this while delivering his remarks when he led the agency’s delegation on a courtesy visit to the office of the director-general of NAGGW, Alhaji Saleh Abubakar, recently in Abuja.

He said that the agency would deepen its partnership with NAGGW to explore other areas of synergy for mutual benefit of both countries.

Mr. Viana used the visit to extend an invitation to the NAGGW’s boss to attend COP30 in Brazil, while emphasizing on the opportunity to strengthen bilateral ties between Nigeria and Brazil.

Responding, Alhaji Saleh, while welcoming the delegation, acknowledged the long-standing relationship between Nigeria and Brazil, citing the historical ties.

He provided an overview of NAGGW, including its Pan-Africanist nature, member countries, the 11 frontline states, and the region’s population of approximately 80 million.

Alhaji Saleh said the agency is working assiduously to combat desertification, promote sustainable land use and building resilience against droughts across the 11 frontline states.

He also highlighted the agency’s successes under the Great Green Wall initiative, including the restoration of degraded lands, reforestation efforts, and community empowerment programmes.

The NAGGW boss appreciated the invitation and proposed a technical session between Apex-Brazil representatives and NAGGW directors to further explore collaboration.