The African Development Bank Group will participate in the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9th to 20th, engaging with governments, development finance institutions, the private sector, civil society organisations, Indigenous Peoples, youth, and international partners to advance global climate action and sustainable development.Led by Senior Vice President Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, the Bank’s engagement will focus on five strategic priorities: supporting African negotiators and strengthening climate leadership, accelerating and scaling climate finance for Africa, showcasing transformative African climate solutions, advancing the nature-climate-development nexus, and strengthening partnerships and amplifying Africa’s voice on the global stage. The Bank’s participation comes as climate and biodiversity agendas become increasingly interconnected, with COP31 providing a platform to promote integrated solutions that address climate change and nature loss while advancing economic development.
The Africa Pavilion (A240), under the theme ‘Turning Climate Commitments into Investments’, will serve as Africa’s flagship platform at COP31, showcasing the continent’s priorities, experiences, innovations, and solutions while fostering dialogue on adaptation, renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, biodiversity, early warning systems, and resilient development. The Pavilion will provide a space for African governments, institutions, development partners, civil society, youth, the private sector, researchers, and other stakeholders to engage, exchange knowledge, showcase African-led climate solutions, build partnerships, and promote Africa’s common positions on climate change and sustainable development.
The Joint MDB Pavilion (D405, B2 zone) will bring together multilateral development banks and partners to promote knowledge exchange, showcase best practices, and explore innovative solutions for financing climate action and sustainable development at scale, with the African Development Bank joining the Asian Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Council of Europe Development Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, European Investment Bank, Inter-American Development Bank Group, Islamic Development Bank, New Development Bank and World Bank Group. The Evidence for Climate Action (E4CA) Pavilion (D445) will provide a dedicated space for demonstrating how evidence, evaluation, and learning can drive more effective climate policies, investments, and development outcomes.
Africa will advocate for a climate agenda grounded in justice, equity, resilience, and the continent’s development priorities, with African negotiators calling for accessible and predictable climate finance, effective implementation of Loss and Damage arrangements, strengthened adaptation support, a just and equitable energy transition, and fair participation in carbon markets. At the same time, Africa will showcase its vast renewable energy resources, critical green minerals, natural carbon sinks, and growing youth-led innovation, while calling for meaningful reforms to the global climate finance architecture and governance system.
The Bank will also showcase flagship initiatives and high-impact projects in renewable energy, water security, sustainable agriculture, urban resilience, ecosystem restoration, and nature-based solutions that deliver measurable benefits for people, economies, and ecosystems, with the Africa Pavilion serving as a strategic platform for advancing Africa’s climate priorities and amplifying the continent’s collective voice in global climate negotiations. The Pavilion will also showcase the continent’s opportunities and solutions while strengthening partnerships capable of translating Africa’s climate ambitions into concrete action and investment.
COP31 will also serve as an important bridge to COP32 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2027, providing an opportunity to build momentum for stronger African leadership, scaled-up climate finance, and deeper partnerships to deliver climate and development solutions across the continent. The conference will elevate African voices, showcase homegrown solutions, and strengthen collaboration around the priorities that will shape the road to COP32, with the Bank’s engagement at COP31 designed to support the shift from climate commitments to implementation by highlighting investment-ready approaches, country-led planning, and partnerships that mobilise public and private capital.
The challenge now is to convert the commitments and partnerships announced at COP31 into measurable progress on the ground, with the Bank’s focus on financing, partnerships and practical solutions reflecting a broader push to move beyond dialogue towards implementation and delivery.
Africa Presents is a Pan-African digital magazine and monthly publication covering politics, business, economy, culture, tech, and the stories shaping Africa and its diaspora. Visit africapresents.com and follow @AfricaPresents for daily coverage and monthly themed magazine editions.
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