AYV News, June 17, 2026
Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr has joined municipal leaders, policymakers, climate advocates, and development partners from around the world at the 2026 World Cities Summit in Singapore, where discussions focused on building greener, more resilient, and sustainable cities.
The summit, held from June 14 to 15, brought together mayors, government representatives, sustainability experts, and international stakeholders to exchange ideas and develop solutions to address urban challenges and the growing impacts of climate change.
As Co-Chair of C40 Cities, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr participated in a series of high-level engagements and bilateral meetings aimed at advancing practical climate action and strengthening global partnerships.
She delivered keynote remarks at the Executive Climate Leadership Dialogue, co-hosted by C40 Cities, the Centre for Liveable Cities (CLC), and TemasekShophouse. The event convened mayors, senior city officials, philanthropic organizations, and development partners to discuss strategies for accelerating climate action in urban areas.
The Mayor also delivered opening remarks at the Mayoral Convening on Mainstreaming Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Heat, where city leaders shared experiences and innovative approaches to addressing rising temperatures through environmentally sustainable interventions.
During a panel discussion on Providing Reliable and Efficient Municipal Services, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr highlighted lessons from Freetown’s efforts to improve service delivery while pursuing sustainability and climate resilience objectives.
Speaking at the Resilient and Regenerative Leadership Plenary, she emphasized the importance of designing cities in harmony with nature and advocated for greater and more direct access to climate financing for cities in the Global South.
The Mayor further showcased Freetown’s progress in urban resilience, waste management, environmental sustainability, and inclusive development, noting that cities require increased financial support to effectively respond to climate-related challenges.
On the sidelines of the summit, she attended the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize Lecture and held bilateral discussions with several city leaders and development partners, including Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece, to explore opportunities for collaboration on urban innovation and climate action.
Reflecting on the summit, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr stressed the importance of international cooperation in tackling climate change.
“The climate crisis knows no borders, and neither should our solutions. The World Cities Summit provided a vital opportunity for cities to learn from one another and build stronger partnerships. When more than 250 cities come together to share what is working on the ground, we can turn isolated success stories into global standards and accelerate the action needed to address our shared challenges,” she said.
According to the Mayor, participation in global forums such as the World Cities Summit continues to create opportunities for Freetown to attract additional investments and partnerships. She noted that engagements with philanthropic organizations, development finance institutions, and city networks have focused on mobilising support for climate resilience, sustainable infrastructure, urban services, and innovative financing mechanisms.
The summit concluded with renewed commitments from city leaders to strengthen collaboration and accelerate efforts toward sustainable urban development and climate resilience worldwide.
