The West Africa Climate Resilience Summit is set to convene public officials, local authorities, researchers, youth leaders, and development partners to define regional priorities and map out practical pathways to climate resilience across West Africa and the Sahel.
Held under the theme “From Climate Crisis to Climate Resilience: Pathways for West Africa and the Sahel at Local and Regional Levels,” the Dakar gathering forms part of a global series organised by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences (PAS) and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences (PASS). The summit, hosted in partnership with AKADEMIYA2063 and the Centre de Suivi Écologique, aims to drive high-level policy dialogue while amplifying inclusive perspectives—particularly those of young people—on science-led climate action.
“Climate change affects everyone, and no one is exempt from its far-reaching effects,” said Cardinal Peter Turkson, Chancellor of PAS and PASS. “Yet Africa bears a disproportionate share of its impacts (cfr. Climate apartheid of Desmond Tutu). Faith-based communities agree that we must respond by harnessing the continent’s expertise and fostering dialogue to develop integrated, effective solutions, protecting creation.”
The summit builds on a wider global resilience initiative launched by PAS and PASS at the Vatican’s Casina Pio IV, where a Call to Action was endorsed by Pope Francis alongside scientists, policymakers and faith leaders. Regional summits have since been held across Austria, Brazil, Kenya and the United States, with ongoing efforts now continuing under the leadership of Pope Leo XIV.
“It is fitting that this landmark dialogue is taking place in Senegal, which has developed a robust strategic framework with a strong focus on adaptation in agriculture, coastal protection, and renewable energy,” said Dr. Cheikh Mbow, Director General of the Centre de Suivi Écologique. “These priorities are reflected in Senegal’s new development strategy, Vision Sénégal 2050 – Agenda National de Transformation, and the National Plan for the Adaptation of the Agricultural Sector to Climate Change, aimed at strengthening resilience. Advancing knowledge for sustainable climate action remains crucial to ensure science-driven policies grounded in local realities.”
Central to the discussions is the MAST framework—Mitigation, Adaptation and Societal Transformation—which promotes locally driven solutions supported by global collaboration, scientific research and nature-based approaches, alongside financing, insurance and equity considerations.
“The year 2023 ranked among the hottest on record, possibly exceeding paleotemperature records dating back 125,000 years. Climate change is not standing still; our endeavors are to accelerate action toward a sustainable environment and a resilient future," said Prof. Marcelo Suárez-Orozco, Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Boston and PASS Council Member. "To strengthen the resilience of people and ecosystems under growing climate stress, we must empower local communities and fuse traditional knowledge with science-driven, interdisciplinary approaches. This integration is not only essential for climate resilience at the local level—it is the decisive path to a just and sustainable tomorrow.”
The Dakar summit will draw on regional expertise to promote knowledge exchange and strengthen cooperation, with a focus on scalable and locally adaptable climate solutions. Discussions will also address the region’s varied environmental risks and socio-economic realities, including the role of forests and other nature-based interventions.
“Sustainability and adaptation to a changing climate require a more judicious use of biological and ecological resources, alongside resilience-proofing policy interventions across sectors,” said Dr. Ousmane Badiane, Executive Chairperson of AKADEMIYA2063. “This Summit will provide a platform for regional and global climate actors to explore pathways for enhancing capacity-strengthening and sharing best practices to support the local implementation of climate resilience solutions, with a strong focus on regional and local planning, adaptation, and resilience financing.”
The two-day event will bring together policymakers, mayors, scientists, faith leaders from Christian and Islamic communities, youth representatives and civil society actors—creating a platform where climate science, policy, business and faith intersect.
“Adaptation in West Africa and the Sahel is very much a matter of food and agriculture. The Summit will therefore also focus on food system innovations and water,” said Prof. Joachim von Braun, President of PAS. “We call for enhanced action for food and nutrition security under climate stress and deploying innovative financing mechanisms in support of that.”
A key outcome of the summit series will be the development of a global blueprint for climate resilience that can be adopted by communities worldwide. The 2025–2026 regional meetings are expected to advance momentum towards a Universal Protocol for Climate Resilience, culminating in a Vatican summit in 2027.
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