Mayor Aki-Sawyerr Advances Freetown’s Climate Initiatives at London Climate Action Week

Mayor Aki-Sawyerr Advances Freetown’s Climate Initiatives at London Climate Action Week

Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr OBE, Mayor of Freetown and C40 Cities Global Co-Chair, showcased Freetown’s climate leadership on the international stage during London Climate Action Week, held on 23rd and 24th June 2026. Engaging with global leaders, she advocated for scalable urban climate solutions and strengthened Freetown’s position within the global environmental agenda.

The Mayor’s itinerary featured a series of high-level diplomatic engagements aimed at amplifying the influence of municipal governments in climate policy and community resilience.

Notably, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr joined a roundtable with UN Secretary-General António Guterres to discuss accelerating localized climate action and empowering cities as primary drivers of sustainable development.

Delivering keynote remarks at the Mayoral Dialogue on urban resilience, she provided critical insights into developing robust strategies to mitigate climate risks and improve quality of life for urban residents.

She also participated in a convening hosted by ODI Global and the LAGO Collective, emphasizing the pivotal role of women-led green innovation and inclusive leadership in securing a sustainable future.

At a reception at St James’s Palace, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr engaged with King Charles III, discussing C40 Cities’ ongoing commitments to climate action and the critical importance of improving global air quality.

Her activities further included supporting youth climate advocacy, conducting strategic bilateral talks with leaders such as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, and contributing to the BBC Climate Question podcast.

Additionally, she met with the Executive Director of Breathe Cities to explore investment opportunities for air quality initiatives, targeting public health improvements for the people of Freetown.

Mayor Aki-Sawyerr’s participation underscores Freetown’s significant contribution to global environmental discourse and the essential role of African cities in crafting global climate solutions.