By Alimatu Jalloh
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – November 5, 2025: Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr has participated in the prestigious C40 Cities World Mayors Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro on the 3rd and 4th November, in her capacity as Global South Co-Chair.
The summit convened over 300 mayors from around the world, with approximately 2,000 attendees each day, to advance urban climate leadership and collaboration.
The two-day event featured high-level engagements including city-led presentations, technical climate data sessions, and strategic discussions with climate donors and partners. A recurring theme throughout the summit was the pivotal role cities play in driving global climate action.
A highlight of the summit came when James Anderson of Bloomberg Philanthropies publicly acknowledged Mayor Aki-Sawyerr’s influence in shaping the Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund. Anderson revealed that the fund’s concept was inspired by her call for greater support for youth climate initiatives in the Global South.
Launched two years ago, the Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund has already supported over 100 municipalities globally, empowering more than 100,000 young people. In Freetown alone, 27 youth groups have received grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, totaling nearly $130,000. Their projects include waste-to-energy innovations, disaster early warning app development, mangrove restoration, and solar light installations in local markets.
Following the summit, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr also participated in the Local Climate Action Summit — an official COP30 event hosted by Bloomberg Philanthropies. She described the three-day experience as energizing and productive, noting that new opportunities for collaboration and support for Freetown’s climate resilience efforts were identified.
“These engagements reinforce our commitment to Transform Freetown and Transform Lives through bold climate action,” Mayor Aki-Sawyerr stated.
Her participation underscores Freetown’s growing influence in global climate discourse and its dedication to inclusive, youth-driven environmental solutions.