Baku: The World Green Economy Organisation (WGEO) announced today its support for 11 African cities under the Carbon Neutral Cities Initiative in partnership with United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG-Africa). This significant initiative was highlighted during a keynote address by Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of WGEO, at the WGEO Pavilion in the Blue Zone of Baku Stadium. The meeting was attended by Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, the Secretary General of UCLG Africa.
According to Emirates News Agency, Al Tayer emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change, stating, ‘Today, we are not simply initiating an effort but igniting a transformative movement – a movement that will redefine how cities across the continent successfully confront the climate crisis. I am proud to announce the World Green Economy Organisation’s (WGEO) support for 11 African cities under the Carbon Neutral Cities Initiative, launched during last year’s World Green Economy Summit (WGES 2023), in partnership with United C
ities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG-Africa). Together, we are catalyzing change, and empowering African cities to become exemplars of climate action and lead the way toward carbon neutrality’.
Al Tayer further elaborated on the role of cities in combating climate change, noting that, “In a rapidly urbanising world, cities contribute over 70 percent of global CO2 emissions but are also uniquely positioned to drive transformative change. African cities, particularly in emerging regions, hold significant potential to champion the global green agenda and move us closer to our shared sustainability goals. Climate change is no longer a future threat – it is a present reality affecting millions, particularly in vulnerable communities across Africa. Increasingly frequent extreme weather events, rising temperatures, and climate-related challenges demand immediate, targeted action. The Carbon Neutral Cities Initiative is WGEO’s response to this urgent need.”
The partnership between WGEO and UCLG-Africa aims t
o address the specific challenges faced by the 11 selected cities as they embark on the journey toward carbon neutrality. WGEO will offer integrated assistance tailored to the unique needs of each city, focusing on building city leaders’ capacity with the latest tools and best practices in green urban planning and climate resilience. WGEO will provide technical guidance on sustainable urban growth, low-carbon infrastructure, energy efficiency, and green mobility, while also supporting nature-based solutions, sustainable water management, and disaster risk reduction strategies.
The initiative will support participating cities through a six-pronged approach, including quantifying emissions, monitoring progress, recording data, setting reduction targets, supporting climate-smart policies, and facilitating investments for climate-smart projects. Al Tayer announced the first African cities to benefit from WGEO’s support, which include Chefchaouen, Nouakchott, Cotonou, Ndiop, Brazzaville, Bangangté, Bangui, Blanty
re, Quelimane, Homa Bay, and Jinja. Each city will receive specialized support aimed at building robust, data-driven strategies for carbon neutrality.
Al Tayer expressed gratitude to UCLG-Africa for their role in climate action and announced plans for future collaborations, including the Regional Green Economy Summit on Carbon Neutral Cities next year and the 10th Edition of the Africities Summit in Cairo in December 2025. He emphasized the importance of unity and collaboration in building carbon-neutral pathways aligned with the Paris Agreement, mobilizing investments for sustainable growth, and embedding carbon neutrality at the core of Africa’s development trajectory.
In conclusion, Al Tayer thanked all partners, stakeholders, and city representatives for their dedication and leadership, urging them to transform African cities into vibrant centers of sustainability, resilience, and innovation. He called for global partners, investors, and stakeholders to join in creating carbon-neutral cities across Afri
ca, setting an example for the world.
