Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri Calls on UN to Establish Global Convention for Protection of River Deltas
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has called on the United Nations to institutionalise a Global Convention on the Conservation of River Deltas, to ensure lasting protection for the world’s most fragile ecosystems, including Nigeria’s Niger Delta.
The appeal came amid growing environmental concerns such as pollution, flooding, erosion, and the rapid disappearance of mangroves and salt marshes across the world’s 25 major deltas.
According to details obtained by PulseNets, the Bayelsa State Governor made the appeal on Monday during the opening ceremony of the 4th Mega Delta Meeting: International Conference on Dialogue Between Land and Sea held in Shanghai, China.
Stakeholders at the conference reportedly agreed that the accelerating threats to global deltas require urgent, collective international action to avert ecological collapse and protect the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on these regions.
Governor Diri, in his address, spoke with emotional conviction, describing river deltas as more than geographical features.
“These deltas are not just points on a map — they are living arteries that sustain communities, preserve our history, and hold the fragile hope of the future,” he told PulseNets.
The governor emphasised that his message was not merely to highlight the challenges but to celebrate the resilience of those who continue to live, work, and dream in these delicate ecosystems.
“Deltas feed nations, sustain economies, and nurture biodiversity. Yet from the Yangtze to the Mekong, from the Danube to the Niger Delta, the story is the same — our deltas are dying,” he stated.
PulseNets learnt that Diri referenced the landmark report of the Bayelsa State Oil and Environment Commission, titled “An Environmental Genocide: Counting the Human and Environmental Cost of Oil in Bayelsa, Nigeria”, which documented the devastating consequences of unchecked exploitation of ecosystems. He said the report serves as a painful reminder that “true resilience begins with justice.”
Governor Diri told PulseNets that the United Nations must take immediate steps to protect these global lifelines from further depletion.
“If deltas link rivers to oceans, then this conference must link knowledge to action,” he declared. “That’s why Bayelsa, with the support of Nigeria’s Federal Government, continues to champion the creation of a United Nations Convention on the Conservation of River Deltas (UNCCRD).”
He further urged delegates at the international meeting to make a formal declaration of intent that would safeguard deltas as unique ecosystems, restore degraded wetlands, empower local communities, and mobilise global finance and scientific innovation for long-term sustainability.
Also Read: Gov. Diri Accuses Federal Govt of Depriving Bayelsa of Revenue From Gas Flaring
Highlighting progress back home, the governor revealed that Bayelsa State is already implementing practical steps in line with this vision.
“We have established a Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to harmonise conservation with opportunity,” he said. “We’re restoring mangrove forests — the green shields of our coastline — while equipping our youths and women with skills in aquaculture, eco-tourism, and renewable energy.”
PulseNets reported that the conference hosted over 180 participants from 31 countries, including policymakers, researchers, community leaders, and civil society advocates, all united by a shared commitment to protecting the planet’s river deltas.
