21st May 2022, Abuja, Nigeria
The Community Action Against Plastic Waste (CAPws) with support from the United Nations Development Programme(UNDP) held its Nigerian Youth Stockholm+50 Pre-Conference at The CANs Abuja. The event was an open invitation to Nigerian youths. It was aimed at empowering young Nigerians and youth led organizations to accelerate the efforts towards green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. It also focused on achieving the environmental dimensions of the Sustainable Development Goals, and amplifying grassroots youth engagement in the UN International Meeting Stockhom+50: a healthy planet for the prosperity of all- our responsibility, our opportunity.
The Community Action Against Plastic Waste (CAPws) is a budding community of grassroots youths and youth-led organizations working with the sole aim of advancing the circular plastic economy for an inclusive and sustainable development for people and the planet. The organization is a member of UNEP Major Group for Children and Youth (UNEP-MGCY) and IN Science-Policy Business Forum (UN-SPBF), with over 3000 members and operations in over 60 grassroots communities spanning 21 countries in Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America. The organization is set to be the largest youth-led organizations providing innovative solutions in tackling plastic pollution, climate justice and youth development.
The event opened up with a welcome address by the Federal Ministry of Environment and a keynote address from the Swedish Consular to Nigeria. It was a barrage of engaging panel discussions with panelists representing UNDP Nigeria, Ministry of Enviroment, Embassy of Sweden, Kenyan High Commisoion, Friedrich Ebert Sti ung (FES) Nigeria, Youth and women organizations and other stakeholders. The first panel discussion centered on the leadership dialogue of the Stockholm International Meeting- accelerating the implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development in the context of the Decade of Action. The floor was opened by Mr Charles Obukwelu, a UNDP representative of Nigeria accompanied by Dr. Sabri Mekaoui, Programme Officer, European delegation to Nigeria and Ecowas and, Mr. Abubakar Bamai President of Nigerian Young Farmers Network.
The second panel discussion riveted on the Stockholm+50 Leadership Dialogue 2-achieving a sustainable and inclusive recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic for youth civil society organisations. This panel discussion had delegates from Eco Green Africa, Lawal Adegboyega, EcoBarter, Blessing Ekwere, Clean Technology Hub, Chukwunomnso Okeke and the CANs park, Khalil Halilu. Anational consultattion briefing was given by Mr. Charles Obukwelu, the representative from UNDP Nigeria on Stockholm+50. The Closing panel session involved discussions focused on the three Leadership Dialogues of the Stockholm+50 international meeting between members of the Stockholm+50 Youth Task Force, Ismail Sidi Ali and Magdalene Bitrus Amadi, with the Executive Director, Community Action Against Plastic Waste, Mr. Ahmad Tiamiyu.
A brief remark was given by the CANs park Community Manager, Ashley Best on the event being a remarkable step which would be the first of many in creating solutions for renewable plastic management. The program came to a close with various interactions, a climate strike by members of the CAPws team and a call to action in tackling the environmental changes facing Nigeria. Finally, a networking session by panelists, delegates and participants brought the Community Action Against Plastic Waste (CAPws), NIGERIA YOUTH STOCKHOLM+50 PRE-CONFERENCE to a climatic end.
PARTNERS:
FAM4FUTURE
UNEP Major Group for Youth and Children
Nigeria Young Farmers Network
CONNEXION empower.eco
