Africa: Africa Day At COP31

What the report says

The African Development Bank said Africa Day at COP31 will take place alongside the 31st UN climate conference in Antalya, Türkiye, with sessions scheduled for Nov. 12 and Nov. 14, 2026. The event is being organized with the African Union Commission, AUDA-NEPAD, UNECA, Afreximbank and the African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development, according to the announcement carried by AllAfrica.

Under the theme “Securing Africa’s Water: Unlocking the Continent’s Climate Resilience Goals,” the side event will focus on water and sanitation as a basis for climate resilience and sustainable development. The organizers say they want to build political support for more investment, attract climate finance for adaptation and resilience, and strengthen cooperation on early warning systems and anticipatory action across the continent.

The program is also intended to highlight African-led initiatives such as the Africa Climate Commissions for the islands, Congo Basin and Sahel, as well as the Great Green Wall and other restoration efforts. The announcement says the forum will bring together African leaders, ministers, development partners, financial institutions, private sector representatives, civil society and youth. It is designed to help shape Africa’s message on implementation and finance ahead of COP32, which Africa is due to host in Addis Ababa in 2027.

More broadly, the notice frames water as central to agriculture, power, health and livelihoods, while warning that droughts, floods and other climate shocks continue to strain development gains.