The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has announced its participation in the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), scheduled to take place in Belém, Brazil, where it will advocate for Africa’s climate financing needs and the acceleration of green energy transitions across the continent.
According to the Bank, in a statement released on Wednesday on its website, its delegation will use the global platform to highlight Africa’s climate change priorities, mobilise greater international funding, and showcase sustainable solutions already underway across member countries.
“The African Development Bank Group will attend COP 30 in Belém, Brazil, to promote the continent’s climate change priorities and intensify its advocacy for an increased harnessing of green finance for adaptation, mitigation, and energy transition,” the institution stated.
AfDB President, Dr Sidi Ould Tah, is expected to participate in the Leaders’ Summit, also known as the Belém Climate Summit, scheduled for November 6 and 7, 2025. He will join world leaders—including Brazil’s President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva—for high-level discussions on global climate action.
“Dr Sidi Ould Tah, president of the Bank Group, will take part in the Leaders’ Summit (Belém Climate Summit) on 6 and 7 November 2025. He will address the general plenary and participate in thematic meetings attended by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, host of the COP 30,” the bank stated.
Following the summit, the Bank’s Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate, and Green Growth, Kevin Kariuki, will lead the delegation through the main negotiation sessions and side events.
“Following the Leaders’ Summit, Kevin Kariuki, African Development Bank Group Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate, and Green Growth, will lead the Bank’s delegation throughout the conference’s negotiations and activities,” the Bank said.
At COP30, the AfDB plans to present proven African climate innovations and push for stronger collaboration on sustainable systems. The Bank will also restate its commitment to key climate-focused programmes already driving results across the continent.
“At COP30, the Bank Group—which has observer status within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)—will: Present African climate solutions and perspectives, including sharing best practices on climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy, biodiversity, and green infrastructure,” the statement continued.
The AfDB will also reaffirm support for major climate intervention programmes, including the African Development Fund’s Climate Action Window, the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Programme, the Desert to Power initiative, the Africa NDC Hub, and the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation programme.
The Bank emphasised that Africa contributes the least to global emissions yet remains the most vulnerable to climate change, making access to climate finance crucial for resilience and development.
The conference is expected to draw leaders from nearly 200 countries, global financial institutions, and climate advocacy groups to debate and shape the next phase of the world’s climate action roadmap.
