Gov Diri Tasks UN On Protection Of River Deltas

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has called on the United Nations to establish a global convention dedicated to protecting the world’s river deltas, including Nigeria’s Niger Delta, from increasing environmental threats.

Diri made the appeal on Monday at the opening of the 4th Mega Delta Meeting: International Conference on Dialogue Between Land and Sea, held in Shanghai, China, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah.

The Bayelsa governor said deltas across the world face existential challenges such as erosion, pollution, flooding, and the loss of mangroves and salt marshes, warning that these threats endanger both human livelihoods and biodiversity.

“It is with deep emotion that I address this gathering, for these deltas are not merely places on a map. They are the lifeblood of our communities, custodians of our stories, and the fragile promise of tomorrow,” Diri said.

He noted that deltas from the Yangtze River in China to the Mekong, Danube, and Niger Delta face the same pattern of rising seas, land subsidence, and declining sediment flows.

Citing the Bayelsa State Oil and Environment Commission’s report titled “An Environmental Genocide: Counting the Human and Environmental Cost of Oil in Bayelsa, Nigeria,” Diri said the findings illustrate the devastating consequences of exploiting ecosystems without accountability.

He stressed that “environmental resilience must begin with justice,” and urged the UN to take urgent global action to prevent further degradation of river deltas.

“If deltas connect rivers to the oceans, then this conference must connect knowledge to action,” he stated. “That is why Bayelsa State, with the support of the Federal Government of Nigeria, has been leading the call for a United Nations Convention on the Conservation of River Deltas (UNCCRD).”

Diri said the proposed convention should seek to protect deltas as fragile ecosystems, restore degraded wetlands, empower local communities, and mobilise global science and finance for sustainability and adaptation.

“At home, we are translating this vision into practice,” the governor added. “We have created a Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to align our conservation efforts with opportunity. We are restoring mangrove forests — the green shields of our coastline — and training youths and women in aquaculture, eco-tourism, and renewable energy.”

The conference brought together 180 participants from 31 countries, including policymakers, scientists, academics, community leaders, and civil society organisations.

Daniel Alabrah
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State
October 20, 2025 — Shanghai, China