By Abdullahi Lukman
African cities have pledged to accelerate climate action and pursue carbon neutrality, adopting the Tangier Declaration at the Regional Green Economy Forum 2025 in Morocco.
The forum, attended by over 500 delegates including mayors, policymakers, youth activists, and business leaders, emphasized the urgent need for low-emission, climate-resilient urban development across the continent.
The declaration recognizes the growing impacts of climate change on African cities despite their limited contribution to global emissions.
It highlights the critical role of local governments in driving urban planning, community engagement, and green investments to combat climate risks.
Key commitments include integrating carbon neutrality into urban development aligned with Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), supporting 11 pilot cities under the World Green Economy Organization’s Carbon-Neutral Cities Initiative, and promoting inclusive public-private partnerships, green jobs, and digital innovation.
The declaration also calls for improved access to climate finance, capacity building, and regional knowledge-sharing.
The forum underscores that African cities are central to climate solutions, including nature-based actions such as urban tree planting and coastal protection.
The Tangier Declaration sets the stage for implementation at the upcoming Climate Week in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where local priorities will shape concrete climate actions.
This collective momentum signals Africa’s readiness to lead sustainable, resilient urban development in the face of intensifying climate challenges.
