By Thuku Kariuki
The African Development Bank reaffirmed its commitment to advancing Africa’s climate action at the opening of Climate Week 2025 in Addis Ababa, with leaders calling for urgent implementation of global pledges.
Taye Atske Selassie, Ethiopian President, set the tone, declaring that the continent was embracing a decisive departure from the past and outlining the vision for prosperity.
“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,” President Selassie said. Delegates included government officials, development partners, and international organizations.
He called on experts and development partners to join in shaping Africa’s next chapter of climate leadership “to witness firsthand the imagination, ingenuity, and scale that Africa brings to the world.”
Noura Hamladji, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Deputy Executive Secretary, urged wealthy nations to transform their pledge to mobilize $1.3 trillion annually in climate finance for developing countries by 2035 into concrete action.
“It must become implementable, delivered faster, and designed for purpose,” Hamladji said. Citing examples from Kenya, South Africa, and Ethiopia, she argued that Africa is already demonstrating how climate action can create stronger economic growth, more jobs, raise living standards, less pollution, better health, and expand access to affordable, clean energy for all.
Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, urged the international community to stand with Africa by ensuring fair climate finance, effective technology transfer, and prioritized 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 reiterated.
Ethiopia’s Planning and Development Minister Fitsum Assefa described Climate Week as an inclusive platform that unites governments, civil society, the private sector, academia, and local communities. “By hosting this gathering, we aspire to create a landmark moment—a new edge of implementation, where on-the-ground results shape global progress,” she said.
Prof. Anthony Nyong, Director of the Climate Change and Green Growth Department at the African Development Bank, warned that climate change, with its attendant consequences, was growing faster than the solutions being proposed.
“At the African Development Bank, we are committed to ensuring Africa has timely and adequate access to climate finance and technical assistance,” he reaffirmed. Nyong, who also represented multilateral development banks at the session, expressed the hope that the Addis Ababa meeting would turn words into measurable results. “The time for the words has passed; the time for bold action and inclusive action is now.”
Marcele Oliveira of Brazil,COP 30 Youth Climate Champion, made a declaration highlighting the role of the youth and urging collective action: “We are not just the future; we are the present, leading the way on climate action and forging new possibilities. Implementation is collective action… It’s everybody. The government, the private sector, the civil society… everybody working together and working together is not easy, but it is necessary.”
Climate Week 2025, which runs until 7 September, is designed as a lead-up to the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2), scheduled for 8–10 September in Addis Ababa. It features an Implementation Forum, peer-learning exchanges, and Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) clinics aimed at accelerating practical solutions on resilience, just transition, and climate finance.
The African Development Bank has played a central role at this year’s Climate Week, co-organizing sessions and leading the NDC Clinics to help African countries align policies, build capacity, and prepare investment plans.
Climate Week 2025 forms part of a global series of regional gatherings intended to build momentum ahead of COP30, which will be hosted in Belem, Brazil, from 10-21 November 2025.
