Mr Marc Innes-Brown, First Assistant-Secretary, Middle East and African Division in Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, has pledged to partner Nigeria in advancing climate-resistant agriculture and mitigation of climate change.
Innes-Brown, who led the Australian delegation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, disclosed this during the 4th Nigeria/Australia Consultations “Senior Officials Talks.”
He said the choice of Nigeria for climate-resistant agriculture is based on the country’s strategic importance internationally and also at the continental level.
Innes-Brown said, “Nigeria is a crucial partner for Australia internationally and in the region. We recognize Nigeria’s importance and the common interests we share multilaterally.
“In the past one or two years, there has been increased engagement between our two countries. We are delighted to support your investment forum in Melbourne.
“This reflects the importance we attach to our relationship as we try to grow our investment ties.
“In recent months, it has been quite a difficult situation and hardship with the floods in Nigeria; we convey our sympathy and condolences for the loss that must have been difficult for you.
“As the world grapples with climate change issues, it is one of the areas of cooperation that we are seeking to take forward, as well as agriculture.”
He explained moves by the Australian government to support Nigeria through capacity building in tackling issues about climate-resistance agriculture and response to the impact of climate change.
This, according to him, will bolster collaboration between both countries, saying Nigeria and Australia shared similarities in terms of geography and their leadership roles in respective regions.
He stated that the discussion would bring about new measures to advance Australia-Nigeria collaboration, noting that in spite of the geographical distance, both countries have lots of similar features and common interests.
“We are both federal countries with states and have diverse communities. We also play key leadership roles in our respective regions, so we do have quite a bit in common.
“Our foreign policy objectives are often closely aligned; we want a well-functioning system of international trade and an international environment that is stable and peaceful.
“Where sovereignty is respected, and of course, we want a rules-based multilateral system, where there is the consistency of application of the rules and we remain committed to the United Nations.
“As a force for good, we also recognize important reforms are required; our foreign policy objectives are closely aligned with a well-functioning system in international trade.
“We also want to advance an environment that is stable and peaceful and where sovereignty is respected, as well as multilateral systems, whereby there is consistency of application of roles,” he added.
Earlier, Amb. Janet Olisa, Director in charge of Regions, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, promised to leverage previous engagement between the two countries in ways to improve their cooperation in the future.
“Nigeria and Australia have commenced high-level bilateral consultations aimed at strengthening economic ties and exploring new areas of cooperation, particularly in trade, mining, agriculture, and food security.
“Trade is crucial in the economy, which is what makes and breaks a country; with a robust economy, a country will leverage other aspects of life where the business community flourishes.
“We can also talk about food security; a hungry nation is an insecure nation, and Australia has definitely shown such areas that agriculture has been given a very top priority,” Olisa said. (NAN)
