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Message from Kobie Brand, our Regional Director
As the year draws to a close, it’s an opportune moment to reflect on the milestones we’ve reached together and the lessons we’ve learned along the way. This year has been marked by incredible collaboration and innovation, with our shared efforts driving meaningful change. From bold initiatives that have redefined what’s possible to quiet, steady progress in the face of immense challenges, each achievement reminds us of the power of collective action.
Yet, even as we celebrate these successes, we are acutely aware of the distance still to be travelled. The urgency of our work has never been clearer, and the stakes have never been higher. Protecting our planet and creating equitable, resilient futures demands not only our continued commitment but also a willingness to push boundaries, challenge norms, and embrace new approaches. Guided by ICLEI’s new strategic vision, the road ahead will require unwavering determination and a readiness to build on what we’ve accomplished this year.
As we prepare for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, let’s carry forward the spirit of hope and resolve that has defined this year. We also look forward to deepening our partnership with national governments to support the realisation of their commitments to sustainable urbanisation, declared at the first African Urban Forum, hosted in September 2024.
Our team at ICLEI Africa continues to grow and strengthen each year, and with our diverse skills and presence across the continent, we are committed to taking impactful, inclusive and innovative action for urban sustainability.
I am delighted to invite you to our upcoming in-person RISE Africa Urban Action Festival next year, where we embrace the concept of realising unbounded possibilities; and to share with you below a snapshot of highlights and achievements from the last six months, including reflections from the Biodiversity and Climate COPs, as well as the World Urban Forum.
Thank you for your ongoing partnering and dedication.
Learn & share - Network - Collaborate - Be challenged
Join us at the 2025 RISE Africa Urban Action Festival
This year, our RISE Africa 2024 Action Festival highlighted the transformative power of uniting diverse voices from across the continent to collaborate and co-develop ideas for action. The programme, featuring 23 sessions, drew over 1 200 individuals across more than 360 cities worldwide.
After four years of inspiring, impactful virtual Action Festivals we are proud to celebrate our 5th year with an in-person gathering from 25-29 May 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of shaping and visioning the future of African cities!
Latest news
Climate change, energy and resilience
ICLEI Africa focuses on supporting African cities by mainstreaming biodiversity into urban processes and decision-making, improving human health and well-being by connecting urban communities with nature
COP29: Cities and regions pressing for stronger, multilevel climate goals
The 29th Conference of the Parties in Baku, Azerbaijan came at a challenging time, with political upheaval, ongoing wars, recent elections in major democracies and alarming UN reports showing slow progress on climate goals. At the same time, cities and regions went to COP29 with the goal of building on COP28’s strong outcomes for local and regional governments – focused on holistic, ambitious and multilevel climate action. In almost every respect, Parties at COP29 fell short on the urgency and ambition that is needed to meet the moment. Regardless, action at the local level continues, with 2025 being a critical year to build on and scale this work in the lead up to, and post, what we hope will be a game changing COP – COP30 in Brazil.
South Africa’s just transition
The crucial role of local governments
Bringing clean cooking solutions to over 20 000 people living in Africa's most vulnerable locations - informal settlements
Crucial political leadership in the world’s most vulnerable region: A bumper year for CoM SSA’s Regional Mayors Forum
Exploring urban community resilience and power relations through creative arts-based methodologies
Urban systems
ICLEI Africa’s urban systems work focuses primarily on the systems that manage and influence the consumption of resources in African cities. By focusing on systems, cities can identify strategic areas of intervention that facilitate more sustainable urban living and unlock broader ecological and social benefits
WUF12 underlined importance of working with all sectors to address urban challenges
The 12th World Urban Forum in Cairo (WUF12) concluded with record-breaking participation and the unveiling of the Cairo Call to Action, outlining solutions for urban challenges. Speakers, panellists and attendees from diverse backgrounds, including a team from ICLEI Africa, explored how to build inclusive, resilient cities.
AfriFOODlinks publishes unique reports linking ‘food’ and ‘urban’ in 15 African cities
Cape Town hosts landmark meeting as cities across Africa and Europe commit to transforming urban food systems
ICLEI Africa to host the African Cities Water Adaptation (ACWA) Platform Secretariat
Gap Fund Africa regional workshop
Implementing innovative waste management in African cities
Potsdam Sustainability Campus set to improve quality of life for Capetonians
Nature, biodiversity and health
ICLEI Africa focuses on supporting African cities by mainstreaming biodiversity into urban processes and decision-making, improving human health and well-being by connecting urban communities with nature
Local and subnational governments applauded at COP16 for leading role
CBD COP16 may not have concluded as planned in November, yet many meaningful achievements were made in Cali, Colombia. The 8th Summit for Subnational Governments and Cities, an official parallel event to the COP, saw historic success, with over 1500 participants from 81 countries, increased recognition for the vital role of subnational governments, and even deeper participation at the global scale through a whole-of-government approach. The local and subnational government constituency also held a range of other events and sessions throughout the full two weeks of the Biodiversity COP.
Crucial political leadership in the world’s most vulnerable region: A bumper year for CoM SSA’s Regional Mayors Forum
From Agreement to Action
Implementation progress by subnational and local governments towards the Global Biodiversity Framework
