WGEO to aid African cities under Carbon Neutral Cities Initiative

BAKU/WAM

The World Green Economy Organisation (WGEO) announced on Sunday 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.
In his address, Al Tayer emphasised 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 Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG-Africa). Together, we are catalysing change, and empowering African cities to become exemplars of climate action and lead the way toward carbon neutrality”.
“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. Through our partnership with UCLG-Africa, we commit to supporting African cities in reducing their carbon footprint, developing sustainable infrastructure, and fostering innovations that benefit both people and the environment,” Al Tayer added.
“WGEO’s partnership with UCLG-AFRICA is designed to address the specific challenges faced by the 11 selected cities as they embark on the journey toward carbon neutrality. Through this initiative, WGEO will provide an integrated assistance tailored to the unique needs of each city. Our approach focuses on building city leaders’ capacity and expertise with the latest tools and best practices in green urban planning and climate resilience, which is highly essential. We provide technical guidance on green urban planning for sustainable urban growth, low-carbon infrastructure, energy efficiency, and green mobility. Finally, we help cities enhance resilience by supporting nature-based solutions, sustainable water management, and disaster risk reduction strategies,” Al Tayer stated.
In addition, the Carbon Neutral Cities Initiative will support participating cities through a six-pronged approach: Quantifying emissions through detailed profiles, monitoring progress regularly, recording key data points to build comprehensive databases, setting reduction targets aligned with international frameworks, supporting informed decision-making through climate-smart policies, and finally, facilitating investments for climate-smart projects and resilient initiatives.
“I am honoured to announce the first African cities that will benefit from WGEO’s support under the Carbon Neutral Cities Initiative with a dedicated Scientific Platform to build robust, data-driven carbon-neutral strategies,” Al Tayer added.
The cities participating in this transformative initiative include Chefchaouen, Nouakchott, Cotonou, Ndiop, Brazzaville, Bangangté, Bangui, Blantyre, Quelimane, Homa Bay, and Jinja. Each city will receive specialised support, aimed at building robust, data-driven strategies for carbon neutrality.
Al Tayer expressed his gratitude to UCLG-Africa, highlighting the essential role local governments play in climate action and the importance of strengthening their leadership capabilities. He also announced plans for future collaborations, ”As we strengthen our partnership, we look forward to partnering with UCLG-Africa to organise the Regional Green Economy Summit on Carbon Neutral Cities next year to further empower African cities, and to collaborating closely on the 10th Edition of the Africities Summit in Cairo, December 2025”.
“Today is a celebration of unity and collaboration. This initiative is a call to action for building carbon-neutral pathways aligned with the Paris Agreement, mobilising investments for sustainable growth, and embedding carbon neutrality at the core of Africa’s development trajectory. Through strategic partnerships and knowledge exchange, this program channels expertise and resources toward constructing resilient, low-carbon urban environments across Africa. As we launch this transformative program, we invite global partners, investors, and stakeholders to join us in creating carbon-neutral cities across Africa. The cities of Africa hold vast potential to become models of green development. This initiative is a critical step toward a sustainable, climate-resilient future that will inspire and lead the way globally.,” Al Tayer added.
Al Tayer concluded, “In closing, I extend my heartfelt thanks to all partners, stakeholders, and city representatives for your dedication and leadership. Together, let us transform African cities into vibrant centres of sustainability, resilience, and innovation for us and generations to come. Let us move forward, united in our mission to create a carbon-neutral future for Africa’s cities and to set a shining example for the world.”