By Emmanuel Etim
Cross River State has been recognized among global sub national leaders at the recently concluded London Climate Action Week. The Governor of Cross River State, Nigeria, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, the Governor of Minas Gerais State, Brazil, Mr. Mateus Simões, President of Île-de-France Region, France, Valérie Pécresse were the three sub national leaders selected from three continents selected to participate in an exclusive closed-door Roundtable Dialogue with António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations and other stakeholders.
The State has once again demonstrated its growing reputation as Nigeria’s foremost subnational leader in climate action, green growth, and sustainable development through its high-level participation at the 2026 London Climate Action Week (LCAW), one of the world’s most influential gatherings on climate policy, sustainable investment, and clean economic transformation.
Held from 20th to 28th June 2026, the 8th edition of the London Climate Action Week convened world leaders, policymakers, climate scientists, development finance institutions, investors, business executives, and innovators to accelerate practical solutions towards climate resilience, energy security, and sustainable economic growth.
READ ALSO: Sanitation Drive Gains Momentum as New Task Force Begins Enforcement
The Cross River State delegation was led by His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu and coordinated by the Director General of the Cross River State Council on Climate Change, Dr Edu Effiom. Other members of the delegation included Hon. Oden Ewa, APC Senatorial Candidate for Cross River Central and former Chairman of the Green Economy Commission and Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs and Barr. Melodie Lebo, Special Adviser to the Governor on Blue Economy.
Positioning Cross River as Nigeria’s Green Innovation Hub
For decades, Cross River State has remained one of Nigeria’s foremost environmental stewards, thanks to its rich biodiversity, expansive tropical rainforest, and long-standing commitment to conservation. Under the administration of Governor Bassey Otu, that commitment is rapidly evolving into an ambitious strategy that integrates environmental protection with economic development through green and blue economy initiatives.
The State is actively deploying nature-based infrastructure, renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, ecosystem restoration, circular economy solutions, and blue economy investments to create jobs, attract investment, and build resilient communities.
Its participation at the London Climate Action Week, therefore, served not merely as attendance at another international conference but as a strategic investment mission designed to showcase Cross River’s climate-ready projects, strengthen international partnerships, and attract sustainable finance.
Governor Otu in High-Level closed door dialogue with the UN Sec Gen , Antonio’s Guteris, the Major of London and selected key global leaders
One of the defining moments of the week was Governor Bassey Otu’s selection to participate in an exclusive closed-door Roundtable Dialogue held at the historic Guildhall in London.
The high-level session, convened by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Climate Group, brought together selected global leaders, including the United Nations Secretary-General, Mayor of London and other influential regional leaders.
Governor Otu used the opportunity to present Cross River State’s vision for sustainable development and demonstrated how subnational governments can become powerful drivers of climate innovation while delivering economic prosperity for their people.
Energy Security Through Green Economic Growth
The Cross River delegation also participated in the Energy Security and Economic Resilience Summit, where discussions focused on how states and regions can protect communities while building affordable, resilient, and clean energy economies.
The summit examined practical strategies for accelerating industrialisation through renewable energy, resilient infrastructure, innovative financing mechanisms, and stronger collaboration among governments, development partners, and private investors.
Cross River’s participation underscored the State’s determination to leverage clean energy investments as a catalyst for industrial development, employment generation, and long-term economic resilience.
Leading Nigeria’s Methane Reduction Agenda
Perhaps one of the most significant outcomes of London’s Climate Week was Cross River State’s growing recognition as a continental leader in methane reduction through climate-smart agriculture.
The State featured prominently during the session titled: “Pollutants to Prosperity: Subnational Leadership on Short-Lived Climate Pollutants,” organised by the Subnational Methane Action Coalition (SMAC) in collaboration with the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC).
Cross River State proudly remains the first Nigerian subnational government admitted into the prestigious Subnational Methane Action Coalition.
Through this partnership, SMAC is supporting the implementation of the Cross River Climate-Smart Rice Farming Demonstration Project in partnership with Kereksuk Rice Farms Limited, Nigeria’s second-largest private rice farming enterprise, alongside the National Council on Climate Change and the University of California, Berkeley’s Center for Law, Energy & the Environment (CLEE).
Beyond increasing agricultural productivity, the project is expected to significantly reduce methane emissions from rice cultivation while positioning Cross River State as Nigeria’s leading centre for climate-smart rice production.
Complementing this initiative is the State’s ambitious Waste-to-Energy Project, which seeks to convert municipal waste into clean energy while simultaneously reducing landfill emissions and improving urban sanitation.
Investment Dialogues to Unlock Climate Finance
Recognising that climate ambition requires sustainable financing, Cross River State actively participated in the Investment Dialogue on Energy Security and Economic Resilience organised by the Under2 Coalition and Regions4 under the Local Climate Action Summit powered by Bloomberg Philanthropies.
Representing Governor Bassey Otu at these sessions were Barr. Melodie Lebo in the Investment Dialogue, Dr. Edu Effiom in the Methane Reduction Agenda meeting and Dr. Edu Effiom and Hon. Oden Ewa in the Energy security and Economic Resilience summits. They engaged development finance institutions, impact investors, and international partners on innovative mechanisms for financing climate projects.
The discussions explored practical approaches to connecting subnational governments with climate investment while strengthening project preparation and improving bankability.
An important outcome of these engagements is the proposed development of the Finance Accelerator for States and Regions (FASTR).
FASTR seeks to bridge the long-standing financing gap confronting subnational governments by helping states structure climate projects that meet international investment standards while facilitating stronger engagement with development finance institutions and private investors.
Cross River Featured at Chatham House
Another major highlight of the week was Governor Bassey Otu’s participation at the globally respected Chatham House during the session titled: “Can Cities and States Lead the Shift to Climate Resilience?” Joining Governor Otu on the distinguished panel were Mayor Eileen Higgins of Miami and California Secretary for Natural Resources, Wade Crowfoot.
The panel examined how cities and regional governments are increasingly driving practical climate solutions due to their direct responsibility for public infrastructure, economic development, and service delivery.
Governor Otu highlighted how Cross River State is integrating climate resilience into governance through long-term planning, ecosystem restoration, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and blue economy initiatives.
Expanding International Partnerships
Cross River’s participation also yielded additional international technical cooperation.
Through SMAC and its partner, the University of California, Berkeley’s Center for Law, Energy & the Environment (CLEE), the State secured further technical support for the development of a Coordinated Waste Management Approach (CWMA).
The partnership will also facilitate collaboration with the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) and other international institutions to strengthen waste management systems, promote circular economy practices, and reduce emissions from the waste sector.
This represents the second major technical support package secured for Cross River State through CLEE under the SMAC partnership, reaffirming growing international confidence in the State’s climate agenda.
A New Era of Climate Leadership
Cross River State’s participation at the London Climate Action Week 2026 signals far more than diplomatic engagement. It reflects a deliberate strategy to position the State as Africa’s emerging destination for climate investment, green industrialisation, and sustainable economic transformation.
From methane reduction and climate-smart agriculture to renewable energy, waste-to-energy infrastructure, blue economy development, and innovative climate finance, Cross River is steadily building an ecosystem where environmental sustainability and economic prosperity reinforce one another.
As the global transition towards low-carbon development accelerates, Cross River State is demonstrating that subnational governments can become powerful engines of innovation, resilience, and inclusive growth.
Under the visionary leadership of Governor Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, the State is not merely participating in the global climate conversation—it is helping to shape it.
The engagements and partnerships forged during the London Climate Action Week have positioned Cross River State to attract new investments, deepen international collaboration, and deliver transformational projects that will benefit present and future generations.
Emmanuel Etim, Member, Cross River State Council on Climate Change, writes from Calabar.
