AfDB Leads Push for Urgent Climate Action at Africa Climate Week 2025
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing Africa’s climate agenda at the official opening of Climate Week 2025 in Addis Ababa, where leaders called for urgent implementation of global climate pledges.
Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie set the tone for the gathering, describing Climate Week as a turning point for the continent. “Here, we will champion a new vision for Africa: one of integrated electricity markets powered by our vast mineral wealth, transformed food systems, and the leadership of our women and youth,” he declared.
The opening session brought together government officials, development partners, and international organisations. President Selassie urged stakeholders to engage in shaping Africa’s next chapter of climate leadership, highlighting the ingenuity and scale the continent could bring to global solutions.
UNFCCC Deputy Executive Secretary Noura Hamladji pressed developed nations to turn their $1.3 trillion annual climate finance pledge into reality by 2035. “It must become implementable, delivered faster, and designed for purpose,” she said, citing examples from Kenya, South Africa and Ethiopia to show that climate action in Africa is already driving growth, jobs, and clean energy access.
African Union Commission Chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf echoed this urgency, calling for fair climate finance, effective technology transfer, and prioritised capacity building. “The time for decisive action is fleeting. The African Union is resolute in its leadership and committed to forging strong partnerships on this critical journey,” he noted.
Ethiopia’s Planning Minister, Fitsum Assefa, described Climate Week as an inclusive platform uniting governments, civil society, academia, the private sector, and local communities. She expressed hopes that Addis Ababa would mark a “new edge of implementation” where on-the-ground results shape global progress.
Prof. Anthony Nyong, Director of Climate Change and Green Growth at the AfDB, warned that climate impacts were outpacing existing solutions. “At the African Development Bank, we are committed to ensuring Africa has timely and adequate access to climate finance and technical assistance,” he said. Representing multilateral development banks, Nyong insisted that “the time for words has passed; the time for bold and inclusive action is now.”
Youth voices also featured prominently. COP30 Youth Climate Champion Marcele Oliveira of Brazil underscored the role of young people, declaring: “We are not just the future; we are the present, leading the way on climate action. Implementation is collective action… It’s everybody.”
Running until 7 September, Climate Week 2025 serves as a lead-up to the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2), which takes place in Addis Ababa from 8–10 September. The week includes an Implementation Forum, peer-learning sessions, and Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) clinics to accelerate practical solutions on resilience, just transition, and climate finance.
The AfDB has taken a central role, co-organising sessions and leading the NDC Clinics to help African nations align policies, strengthen capacity, and prepare investment-ready climate plans. Climate Week is part of a global series of regional gatherings building momentum towards COP30, scheduled for 10–21 November in Belém, Brazil.
