AYV News, February 6, 2025
The Freetown City Council (FCC) will host the inaugural African Urban Heat Summit today February 6, 2025. The Summit will focus on tackling urban heat through innovation, education, and action, with the goal of building more resilient African cities.
The event will bring together regional mayors, leaders, policymakers, urban planners, and climate activists to address the growing threat of extreme heat and its impact on urban populations.
“It is an opportunity to engage globally, regionally, and nationally to raise awareness for the consequences of heat,” said Kweku Lisk, Deputy Mayor of Freetown.Lisk expressed excitement about showcasing Freetown’s diverse livelihoods and unique atmosphere during the summit. He emphasised the importance of the event as a platform to demonstrate Freetown’s leadership in climate action while collaborating with global and regional leaders to combat extreme heat.
“This summit isn’t just about discussion it’s about real solutions, collaboration, and innovation to protect communities from the rising threat of urban heat,” Lisk stated. Rahman Ton Farmar, Chief Administrator of the Freetown City Council, echoed this sentiment, expressing his hope that the summit will stimulate conversation at the national, regional, and global levels.
“We hope this heat summit will drive conversations not just national level but also regionally and globally,” Farmar commented. He stressed the importance of raising awareness among government officials, policymakers, and civil society organizations about the consequences of inaction on rising temperatures.
“This summit isn’t just about discussion, it’s about real actions, collaboration and climate-smart solutions to protect our communities from growing threat of urban heat,” he concluded.
Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyer highlighted the increasing frequency and severity of heat waves across Africa due to climate change, with record-high temperatures in recent years, underscoring the urgent need for climate resilience strategies.
“I’m thrilled to be co-hosting the first-ever African urban heat summit,” she stated, inviting participation in the discussions about innovative solutions for building heat-resilient African cities.
