The stage is set for the First International Deltas Summit, scheduled to take place from March 17 to 20, 2025, at the prestigious Asia Institute of Technology in Thailand. This groundbreaking event aims to address critical challenges faced by river deltas globally, with the production of a pivotal white paper urging the United Nations (UN) to operationalize the United Nations Convention for Conserving River Deltas (UNCCRD).
The summit is a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Bayelsa State Government in partnership with the African Centre for Climate Actions and Rural Development Initiative (ACCARD) and other international stakeholders. Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, who leads the Global Governance Committee of the UNCCRD, has been at the forefront of this mission.
The UNCCRD, first unveiled by Governor Diri at COP28 in Dubai in December 2023, is a transformative framework designed to address the unique challenges of river deltas. With endorsements from global heavyweights, including delegations from the Pakistani Senate, Bangladesh, and the United States, this initiative is set to revolutionize how delta regions are governed.
“This convention is dear to my heart,” Governor Diri remarked. “It adopts a bottom-up approach, empowering local communities and delta residents to actively participate in policy formation and decision-making processes, even at the United Nations level.”
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The urgency for this initiative cannot be overstated. More than 500 million people worldwide depend on deltas for their livelihoods, making these regions vital for food security, biodiversity, and economic stability. However, rising climate change impacts have exacerbated issues like flooding, poverty, forced migration, and biodiversity loss.
Bayelsa State, which was nearly submerged by catastrophic floods in 2022, exemplifies the dire need for proactive measures. Similar disasters in Pakistan and Bangladesh underscore the global nature of these challenges. “We must act swiftly to mitigate the widening threats to food security, livelihoods, and biodiversity,” Governor Diri emphasized.
The UNCCRD stands out for its inclusive framework, which prioritizes the voices of delta communities and fosters collaboration at every level. The upcoming summit in Thailand promises to galvanize global action, uniting policymakers, scientists, and affected communities to accelerate sustainable solutions.
Governor Diri called on the global community to rally behind this game-changing initiative. “Let us work together to save our deltas and the millions of lives that depend on them,” he urged.
