Abidjan, October 30, 2025 – Auditorium of the Prime Minister’s Office, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire

An official ceremony was held in Abidjan for the presentation of the Nationally Determined Contribution (CDN 3.0) and the pre-departure event of the Ivorian delegation to COP30 in Belém, Brazil.
The event brought together government representatives, local authorities, academics, civil society organisations, private sector actors, and international partners.

It reaffirmed Côte d’Ivoire’s determination to advance global climate goals and sustainable development.
Among the participants were members of the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC Corporation), who actively support environmental protection, social solidarity, and human rights initiatives across the region.

The event was reported by Mr Vamara Fofana – IHRC Commissioner & Journalist (Côte d’Ivoire), representing the International Human Rights Commission during the ceremony.

An Integrated Approach to Climate Action

Following the welcoming remarks, speakers from key institutions and international organisations underlined Côte d’Ivoire’s integrated approach to climate governance and ecological transition.

Dr Éric Michel Assamoi, UNFCCC National Focal Point, presented the progress made in preparing Côte d’Ivoire’s participation at COP30.
He stressed the importance of ambition and tangible action, announcing that the national delegation, led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will operate a 100 m² national pavilion in Belém dedicated to climate and innovation projects.

Local Governments and the Private Sector as Pillars of CDN 3.0 Implementation

Mr. Gueu Dienot Gilles, Vice-President of ARDCI (San Pedro Zone), emphasised the need for coordinated local government action in implementing national climate policies.
He highlighted the public-private partnership model as a cornerstone of sustainable action and reaffirmed the commitment of local authorities to the national climate agenda.

Mr. Salah Ben Sedikh, Vice-President of UNEMAF and representative of the private sector (CGECI), underlined that private sector engagement must be concrete, measurable, and consistent with sustainability principles.
He called for the full implementation of Article 6.4 of the COP framework, ensuring the long-term credibility of international commitments, and urged collective mobilisation founded on responsibility and shared purpose.

Civil Society Engagement and Women’s Inclusion

Ms. Boussouf Bintou, representing civil society organisations (CSOs), praised the active participation of civil society and women in drafting the CDN 3.0 document.
She highlighted the integration of human rights and gender equality principles in the national strategy and advocated for fairer financial mechanisms between Northern and Southern countries, in line with global solidarity principles.

The Contribution of the International Community

Ms. Blerta Cela, UN Resident Representative in Côte d’Ivoire, reminded participants that Africa accounts for only 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet suffers disproportionately from the effects of climate change.
She commended the country’s consistent progress since 2015 and described the CDN 3.0 as inclusive, transparent, and inspiring.
She also noted Côte d’Ivoire’s ambitious target to reduce emissions by 33.07% through domestic efforts and up to 74% with international support.

Partnerships with the European Union and Brazil

H.E. Ichard Razaaly, Ambassador of the European Union to Côte d’Ivoire, announced that the EU has invested €1.7 billion in low-carbon transitions and €150 million in reforestation initiatives.
He confirmed the forthcoming creation of a carbon market to reinforce green cooperation and commended Côte d’Ivoire’s leadership in climate diplomacy.

H.E. José Carlos de Araújo Leitão, Ambassador of Brazil, stated that COP30 will focus on human-centred policies, social protection, and the fight against hunger.
He indicated that Brazil’s declaration in Belém will centre on poverty reduction and international solidarity, reaffirming Brazil’s readiness to host the event in an ecological and symbolic spirit.

Three Strategic Pillars: Investment, Transparency, and Communication

Minister of Environment and Ecological Transition, Mr. Assouahoré, recalled that the CDN is revised every five years in line with international commitments.
He outlined the three strategic pillars of CDN 3.0:

• the Investment Plan,
• the Transparency Framework,
• and the Communication Strategy.

He emphasised that success will depend on the active participation of all national stakeholders – government, private sector, academia, and civil society.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, head of the Ivorian delegation to COP30, expressed confidence in the country’s preparations and praised the leadership of the Minister of Environment, reaffirming that the government will vigorously defend national climate priorities on the international stage.

A Shared Commitment to the Future

The ceremony concluded with the official handover of the CDN 3.0 document and a group photo with technical and financial partners, symbolising the shared responsibility for a resilient and sustainable future.
Côte d’Ivoire reaffirmed its readiness to play an active role at COP30, standing as a leading example of regional cooperation and sustainable transformation in West Africa.

Article prepared by:
Vamara Fofana – IHRC Commissioner & Journalist (Côte d’Ivoire)

The post Côte d’Ivoire Strengthens Its Climate Commitment – Presentation of CDN 3.0 and Preparations for COP30 in Belém first appeared on ihrc.news.

Over the years, ARTICLE 19 has urged governments, including those in Poland and Germany, to halt mass surveillance practices and enhance transparency and oversight of secret services and law enforcement agencies. The organization has also raised concerns about the deployment of surveillance technologies like spyware against opposition figures and the increasing statutory powers granted to intelligence agencies in various European countries.

The European Court of Human Rights found that governments, including those of Poland and Germany, violated Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantees the right to respect for private and family life. This violation stemmed from the mass retention of communications data for potential use by national authorities, lack of independent oversight, and the secret surveillance measures under respective national anti-terrorism legislation.

This ruling sends a clear message to European governments that any measures infringing on privacy rights must be accompanied by robust judicial oversight and transparent legal frameworks, ensuring that fundamental freedoms are not undermined by state surveillance activities.

BY: MOHSIN DURRANI
Editors In Chief – Asia Region

The post European Court of Human Rights’ Decision Against Mass Secret Surveillance first appeared on ihrc.news.

The Ambassador at Large and Head of Diplomatic Mission IHRC Nigeria, H.E. Ambassador (Dr.) Duru Hezekiah laments the deplorable system of Nigeria’s society, urging electorates to actively participate in the 2023 election as a medium to determine the next leader of the country. He asserted Abuja over the weekend during a press briefing.

Nigeria is a Federal Republic comprising 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. History keeps repeating itself in a more jeopardizing way as the Nigerian state is allegedly run by a small cartel of self-serving elites whose purpose is to provide an avenue for their cooperation across religious and ethnic divisions, just enough to divvy up state oil revenue among themselves and their counterparts; making them do little or none in improving the lot of the vast majority of Nigerians.

2. The Nigerian State is centralized but weak, while true political power is decentralized in government and non-governmental entities.
3. Nigerians over decades have faced numerous tragedies on the high cost of living, masses graves resulting from banditry and insecurities insurgencies, hunger, massacre, tribalism, looting, kidnapping, ASUU Strike, etc.
4. Nigerians from across the country are lamenting the hardships in the land, crying out for urgent measures by the government at all levels to mitigate their suffering which they said was becoming intolerable.
5. It is a truism with everything is broken down, our country has become one big emergency national hospital with full occupancy…Our hearts are broken. Our family dreams are broken. Homes are broken. Churches, mosques, and infrastructure are broken. Our educational system is broken. Our children’s lives and futures are broken. Our politics is broken. Our economy is broken. Our energy system is broken. Our security system is broken. Our roads and rails are broken. Only corruption is alive and well. Nigerians can no longer recognize their country which has been battered and buffeted by men and women from the dark womb of time”.
6. Fellow Nigerians, All of us are victims of a sick Nigeria! The 2023 general election is here; it’s time to decide on another leader for our dear nation. We simply cannot fold our hands but need to participate in building a country that works for everyone through our votes.
7. I appeal to Nigerians everywhere not to entertain or give energy to unnecessary confrontation but rise to cast their votes. Knowing that the enemy of Nigeria is bad leadership, we need to push these narratives out there and as urgently as possible before those who know how to use ethnic and religious violence to make a statement seize the day!
8. Impressively, Nigerian youths are giving more to the coming election ever than before. It’s one good thing that came out of our current nightmare!

Let me conclude with the words of Charles de Gaulle, one-time President of France said; “politics is too serious a matter to be left to the politicians”.

For once, let our votes reflect our earnest yearning.
A New Nigeria is Possible!

Reporter:
Mr. Christian A. Nnamdi
IHRC Media Officer, Nigeria.

Editorial:
Fidelis Onakpoma
IHRC Editor-in-Chief Worldwide

The post STATE OF THE NATION AND ROLE OF ELECTORATES: H.E. Dr. Duru Hezekiah Full Text Message first appeared on ihrc.news.