COP15 Copenhagen

MRL's attendance at Copenhagen was a groundbreaking moment for our consultancy. MRL assisted the Nigerian Government in developing their negotiation strategy at the United Nations Climate change Conference in Copenhagen Denmark, December 2009 and again in Cancun, Mexico 2010.

With MRL's Executive Director Roni Ajao at the helm, it was a smooth ride for the Nigerian delegation. Working closely with the Minister of Environment and other senior delegates across the Nigerian government.

The MRL team arrived on December 2nd 2009 to carry out a second survey of the Bella Centre to make sure events were progressing as discussed, to set up the Nigerian delegation office and to co-ordinate the various side events and meetings with different member states, i.e. China, USA, Canada, for the Nigerian delegation.

The Nigerian delegation consisted of Governors, Ministers, Ambassadors, Commissioners, Senators and House of Representative members including the Non-Government Organisations (NGO's) and the private sector.

Planning for the UNFCCC (COP15), commenced in May 2009 after the Federal Ministry of Environment decided that they would like to have a strong presence at the meeting to ensure Nigeria plays a leading role in the continent of Africa to address climate change during the negotiations. MRL set to work making sure that every last detail was taken care of from the conception of all documentation to the management of the Delegate Offices. MRL also managed the Media and Stakeholder Events.

On a day-to-day basis you would find the MRL team manning the Project Office in an exciting, fast paced environment whilst our Director, Roni Ajao attended key strategic meetings with the Inauguration, Minister of Environment and other key delegates.

The Road to Copenhagen

The MRL team, put together the groundbreaking document entitled: - 'Nigeria, Road to Copenhagen' which outlined Nigeria's standpoint and way forward to address climate change. High praise was given to this publication by, The Honourable Minister of Environment, Governors, Senators and House of Representatives in addition to complements from:

• The Deputy Senate President of Nigeria
  His Excellency Ike Ekeweremadu
• The former General Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Dr. Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo
• Dr. Godknows. B. Igali, Nigerian Ambassador to Nordic Countries