Ban Ki Moon, PM Melez Zenawi parley with Dayo Israel to tackle climate change

Dayo Israel and Nigeria Min of Environment, Perm Sec Environment, Perm Sec Climate Change

 United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi are amongst numerous world leaders who parleyed with one of Africa’s foremost young statesmen and Chairman of the Obasanjo’s Presidential Summit of Nigerian Children – Dayo Israel at the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the 7th Session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties (CMP7) to the Kyoto Protocol which was held at the International Conference Center in the City of Durban, South Africa which had in attendance Heads of Government, Relevant Ministers of Government, Members of the Private Sectors, International Development Partners, Civil Society Organisations and Youth.


Being a seasoned sustainable development advocate and policy adviser to Government, Dayo Israel wowed the various leaders in their interaction and deliberation at the meeting as expressed by President of the Africa Development Bank (AfDB) – Mr Donald Kaberuka.

Dayo Israel involvement in climate change and sustainable development advocacy dates back to 2002 when he chaired the only children session at the UN World Summit on Sustainable Development in South Africa,
after which he also led the UNICEF Nigeria/Government of Nigeria’s Children delegation to the UN World Water Forum in Japan in his capacity as then Deputy Senate President of the Nigerian Children’s Parliament. At the Japan meeting he was selected to chair the Children’s World Media Conference and co-launch the “Tip and Top” water project initiated by Mrs Nane Anan, the wife of the then Secretary General of the United Nation Kofi Anan.

Dayo and Nig Min of Environment

The Durban Meeting delivered a breakthrough on the international community's response to climate change. In the second largest meeting of its kind, the negotiations advanced, in a balanced fashion, the implementation of the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol, the Bali Action Plan, and the Cancun Agreements. The outcomes included a decision by Parties to adopt a universal legal agreement on climate change as soon as possible, and no later than 2015.

Dayo Israel and Angolan Minister of Environment

At the Durban Summit, Dayo also facilitated the session on “COMBATING CLIMATE CHANGE THROUGH SUSTAINABLE MEDIA NETWORK IN AFRICA” sponsored by LEAD AWA and Change Media of one of Nigeria’s foremost environmental journalist Tunde Imolehin. In attendance at the session were eminent Africans including Professor Adeniyi Osuntogun – former Vice Chancellor of OAU and Prince Lekan Fadina, Executive Director CISME.

Dayo Israel and UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon

In conversation with COP 17 President Maite Nkoana-Mashabane and other leaders, Dayo charged them to do all they can to save tomorrow today.