West Africa Climate Resilience Summit to Chart Pathways for Adaptation and Regional Action
West Africa’s response to the escalating climate crisis will come under sharp focus as policymakers, scientists, youth leaders and development partners convene in Dakar for the West Africa Climate Resilience Summit.
The two-day summit, themed “From Climate Crisis to Climate Resilience: Pathways for West Africa and the Sahel at Local and Regional Levels,” aims to define practical and scalable solutions to strengthen resilience across one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions.
The event forms part of a global series of Climate Resilience Summits jointly organised by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, in partnership with AKADEMIYA2063 and the Centre de Suivi Écologique.
The Dakar summit is expected to foster high-level policy dialogue while amplifying diverse perspectives, particularly those of young people, in shaping climate action strategies grounded in science and local realities.
“Climate change affects everyone, and no one is exempt from its far-reaching effects,” said Cardinal Peter Turkson. “Yet Africa bears a disproportionate share of its impacts. We must harness the continent’s expertise and foster dialogue to develop integrated, effective solutions.”
The summit builds on a broader global initiative launched at the Vatican, where a Call to Action on climate resilience was endorsed by Pope Francis alongside scientists, policymakers and faith leaders. The initiative is now being advanced through regional summits across multiple continents, with the process continuing under the leadership of Pope Leo XIV.
Organisers say the choice of Senegal as host reflects its growing leadership in climate adaptation. The country has prioritised resilience in agriculture, coastal protection and renewable energy under its long-term development framework, Vision Sénégal 2050.
“It is fitting that this dialogue is taking place in Senegal, which has developed a strong strategic focus on adaptation,” said Cheikh Mbow, stressing the importance of science-driven policies aligned with local realities.
At the core of the discussions is the Climate Resilience framework anchored in the MAST strategy—Mitigation, Adaptation and Societal Transformation—which integrates community engagement, scientific innovation, and nature-based solutions with financing, equity and governance considerations.
Experts warn that the urgency for action is growing. “Climate change is not standing still,” said Marcelo Suárez-Orozco, noting that recent global temperatures rank among the highest in recorded history. He emphasised the need to combine traditional knowledge with science-driven approaches to build resilient communities.
The summit will also focus heavily on food systems and water security, reflecting the region’s vulnerability to climate-induced agricultural shocks. “Adaptation in West Africa and the Sahel is very much a matter of food and agriculture,” said Joachim von Braun, calling for stronger action to safeguard food and nutrition security.
According to Ousmane Badiane, the forum will provide a platform to strengthen regional planning, enhance capacity, and mobilise financing for climate resilience initiatives.
The outcome of the summit is expected to feed into a broader global framework, culminating in the development of a Universal Protocol for Climate Resilience, to be finalised at a Vatican summit in 2027.
For West Africa and the Sahel, the Dakar meeting represents a critical opportunity to align regional priorities with global action, transforming climate risks into pathways for resilience and sustainable development.
