AYV News, June 26, 2026
Freetown Mayor and Co-Chair of the C40 Cities network, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr OBE, represented Sierra Leone’s capital at the London Climate Action Week 2026, where she joined global leaders, policymakers, development partners, and climate advocates in discussions on tackling climate change and building resilient urban communities.
During the week-long series of events, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr participated in a high-level roundtable discussion with the United Nations Secretary-General focused on accelerating locally led climate action and strengthening the role of cities in addressing the global climate crisis.
She also delivered a keynote address at the Mayoral Dialogue on Urban Resilience, where city leaders exchanged experiences and strategies for enhancing climate adaptation and resilience in rapidly growing urban centres.
In addition, the Mayor addressed participants at a forum organized by ODI Global and the LAGO Collective, highlighting the importance of women-led green innovation in advancing sustainable development and climate action initiatives.
As part of her engagements, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr attended a reception at St James’s Palace, where she briefly interacted with King Charles III and discussed progress being made through the C40 Cities climate and clean air agenda.
The Mayor also used the international platform to strengthen partnerships aimed at supporting Freetown’s environmental and development goals. Discussions with the Executive Director of Breathe Cities focused on attracting investment to improve air quality, public health outcomes, and the overall wellbeing of residents in the capital.
She further held talks with Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, engaged with young climate advocates, and participated in the recording of an episode of the BBC’s Climate Question podcast, which is expected to air later this week.
According to city officials, the engagements provided an opportunity to showcase Freetown’s ongoing climate initiatives while exploring new avenues for collaboration with international partners and institutions.
The Mayor’s participation in London Climate Action Week 2026 reaffirms Freetown’s commitment to advancing sustainable urban development, promoting climate resilience, and working with global stakeholders to address environmental challenges facing cities worldwide.
London Climate Action Week is one of the world’s largest climate-focused events, bringing together governments, businesses, civil society organizations, and city leaders to accelerate action towards a sustainable and climate-resilient future.
