The Swedish government has pledged commitment to supporting regional collaboration in addressing insecurity and economic and climate change challenges in the Lake Chad Basin.

Joachim Baijimo, head of regional development at the Embassy of Sweden in Addis Ababa, made the pledge during a panel session at the 5th Lake Chad Governors’ Forum meeting Thursday in Maiduguri.

“These are challenges that we need to tackle together,” he said, referring to extremism, violence, and climate change.

“For Sweden, this is an investment in both international development and our own security, as these problems transcend borders and require a collective response,” Mr Baijimo said.

Mr Baijimo said the importance of global cooperation in tackling shared issues such as extremism, violence, and climate change cannot be overemphasised.

He, however, acknowledged the high level of participation and engagement at the forum, which he described as encouraging for the future of regional collaboration.

According to him, Sweden’s involvement in the forum is not just a part of its international development cooperation but also self-interest.

Mr Baijimo also expressed satisfaction with the progress in developing territorial action plans, noting that they were crucial for the next phase of regional efforts.

“We are happy to see that these plans are being developed strategically, allowing stakeholders to align their operations with the broader goals of the region,” he said.

The 5th Lake Chad Governors’ Forum continues to serve as a vital platform for regional leaders to discuss cross-border cooperation, security challenges, and development needs.

(NAN)