Brazil and Africa Strengthen Climate Partnership Ahead of COP30
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva met with Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, President of the African Development Bank Group, in Belém, where this year’s Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is being held. This high-profile meeting highlights a growing alliance between Brazil and Africa, particularly as the Bank leads Africa’s push for increased global climate finance.
The discussion centered on mobilizing resources for climate adaptation and resilience. The meeting also took place just before the World Leaders Summit, which President Lula will host on 6-7 November. This summit marks the first time such an event is being held prior to the negotiations at the Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The leaders’ summit in Belém, located in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, is expected to be one of the most significant climate gatherings since the 2015 Paris Agreement. It comes at a critical moment as nations around the world strive to keep global warming below 1.5°C.
With nearly 60,000 delegates attending, including heads of state, climate negotiators, financiers, private sector representatives, and civil society leaders, the African Development Bank will play a key role in reigniting global ambition for a just energy transition and enhanced climate resilience.
At the COP30 negotiations, which will take place from 10 to 21 November, the Bank Group will reaffirm its leadership in advancing Africa’s climate priorities and advocating for a decisive global scale-up of green finance for developing economies.
Africa contributes less than 4% of global emissions yet hosts nine of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, while receiving barely 3% of global climate finance. This disparity underscores the urgent need for greater financial support and international cooperation.
Summit of Leaders Ahead of the Conference
In Belém, President Ould Tah will highlight the strategic parallels between the Amazon and the Congo Basin, the planet’s two largest tropical rainforests, emphasizing their shared role in global climate stability.
The Bank Group’s president will participate in the launch of Brazil’s landmark Tropical Forests Forever Fund, a blended-finance initiative that unites the Amazon, the Congo Basin, and forests across Africa under a common vision of climate solidarity.
This initiative aligns closely with the Bank’s flagship programs, including the Congo Basin Forest Fund and its long-standing partnership with the Central African Forest Commission. These efforts reflect the Bank’s commitment to nature-based solutions, biodiversity protection, and carbon sequestration in line with the Paris Agreement.
During the World Leaders’ Summit, Bank Group President Ould Tah will launch a call to action for Africa on adaptation, resilience, clean energy, and financial sovereignty. He will also address a high-level thematic session on “Climate and Nature: Forests and Oceans,” chaired by President Lula.
In addition, Dr. Ould Tah will hold bilateral discussions with government leaders, the private sector, and development institutions to help shape a post-COP30 financial roadmap aligned with his Four Cardinal Points strategic agenda for the Bank Group.
AfDB Makes Adaptation Finance Its Focus
The African Development Bank Group has established itself as a global leader in climate finance innovation. In 2024, it committed $5.5 billion to climate action, representing nearly half of its total annual approvals. Over the past decade, 60% of its investments have been directed toward adaptation.
The Bank’s 2024-2033 Strategy and Dr. Ould Tah’s Four Cardinal Points strategic agenda reinforce this focus, prioritizing climate-resilient infrastructure, renewable energy, and a just energy transition that aligns Africa’s development goals with a low carbon footprint.
Through its concessional African Development Fund’s Climate Action Window, launched in 2022, the Bank Group is channeling additional finance and technical support to 37 least developed countries, many of which are on the frontline of climate impacts.
At a time when global funding commitments remain constrained, the Bank’s proactive approach has positioned it as one of the most dynamic institutions in climate finance and sustainable development.
The Bank Group’s activities and live updates from COP30 will be featured on its dedicated COP30 microsite and social media platforms.
Follow the hashtags #COP30, #AfricaCOP, #AfDBatCOP30 to stay informed.