African Development Bank hosts interactive climate dialogues at COP30

African Development Bank experts engage COP30 participants in coffee-style climate dialogues.

The African Development Bank Group engaged participants in interactive, coffee-style dialogues at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, from Nov. 10–21. Attendees discussed climate solutions and sustainable development initiatives in Africa. The sessions highlighted rising temperatures, extreme weather, and Africa’s growing vulnerability despite contributing less than four percent of global emissions.

Al-Hamndou Dorsouma, the Bank Group’s Climate and Green Growth Division Manager, opened the discussions. He emphasized the need for resilient development strategies and integrated climate action.

Green finance and circular economy initiatives

Davinah Milenge, Chief Programme Coordinator for Climate Change and Green Growth, outlined the Bank’s initiatives promoting the circular economy across Africa.

Gareth Phillips, Manager for Climate and Environmental Finance, presented green finance programs, including the African Green Banks Initiative. James Kinyangi, Coordinator of the ClimDev Special Fund and the Climate Action Window, explained how these financing instruments support climate adaptation and mitigation.

Regional dialogues and engagement

Arona Soumaré, Chief Regional Specialist on Climate Change for West Africa, led discussions on the Bank’s climate activities in the region, a recognized global climate hotspot. He highlighted efforts to create synergies between the Rio Conventions on climate, biodiversity, and desertification.

Participants praised the interactive format. Kenyan visitors Reilo Idagiza Sirali and Lydia Wanjo called it “an original idea,” likening it to meeting over coffee to discuss the planet’s future.

Maria Micah Maua, part of the Kenyan youth delegation, said she learned about the just energy transition, nationally determined contributions (NDCs), and circular economy measures.

Dorsouma noted that under President Sidi Ould Tah, the Bank adopted a strategic direction focused on four priorities: improving access to capital, reforming financial systems, harnessing Africa’s demographic transformation through innovation and jobs, and building climate-resilient infrastructure.

He added that initiatives such as circular economy projects, climate information services, and green finance directly support these priorities.