Sponsor of Nigeria’s Climate Change Act, and former member of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Sam Onuigbo will on June 24 assume leadership of the Global Legislators Organisation for a Balanced Environment (GLOBE International) during the London Climate Action Week.
The event which is scheduled for June 23 to 26, will see Rt Hon
Onuigbo, who sponsored Nigeria’s Climate Change Act 2021, formally take over as President of the organisation at a reception to be held at the House of Commons.
It will also feature the inaugural Nigeria Climate Investment Summit in London and coincide with GLOBE International’s 35th anniversary.
The former Lawmaker who is also the convener of the Nigeria Climate Investment Summit, which will be held at Mansion House in the City of London, is expected to outline the initiative’s objectives.
In an official invitation signed by GLOBE Chief Executive Malini Mehra, Onuigbo is scheduled to succeed Argentine lawmaker and Deputy Juan Carlos Villalonga as President of the organisation.
The appointment is viewed as recognition of Nigeria’s growing influence in global climate governance, environmental sustainability, and energy transition advocacy.
According to Mehra, Onuigbo, who currently serves as GLOBE Vice President for Africa, will deliver his inaugural address as President during the organisation’s 35th Anniversary Reception at the UK Parliament.
She added that the occasion will also mark the relocation of GLOBE’s headquarters to Nairobi, Kenya.
GLOBE International, founded in 1991 by former United States Vice President Al Gore, former US Secretary of State John Kerry, and legislators from the European Parliament, Russia and Japan, is a non-partisan parliamentary network focused on strengthening governance for sustainable development and climate action.
With the theme, “Building Political Resilience and Public Consensus for Climate Action at a Time of Severe Domestic and Geopolitical Challenges,” the event will focus on strengthening international climate cooperation, promoting investment and innovation for a net-zero economy, enhancing climate resilience, supporting nature and ocean regeneration, and mobilising society-wide action on climate change.
Mehra noted, “London Climate Action Week has become a major fixture in global climate diplomacy, attracting ministers, lawmakers, investors, business leaders, local governments, civil society groups, academics and cultural institutions.”
She said this year’s edition is expected to exceed the more than 700 climate-related events hosted across London in 2025 and will feature major summits on climate investment, innovation, sustainable cities, energy technology and net-zero implementation.
Recall, since sponsoring the landmark Climate Change Act, Onuigbo has remained active in climate advocacy and sustainable development initiatives
He was listed among the Top 30 Global Climate Action Leaders by Business Insider in 2023 and was also inducted into the National Assembly Most Valuable Parliamentarian Hall of Fame for the 2019–2023 legislative period. He also received recognition as a Worthy Ambassador of Nigeria’s Green Chamber.
GLOBE International, a leading global network of lawmakers promoting climate action and sustainable development, is a founding partner of London Climate Action Week, one of the world’s largest platforms for climate engagement.
The anniversary reception will be hosted by former UK Climate Change Minister and ex-GLOBE President, Rt. Hon. Graham Stuart MP, and is expected to bring together legislators from across the world.
