Belgium steps up at Africa Climate Summit: driving green solutions and global dialogue

The second Africa Climate Summit (ACS), taking place from 8 to 10 September in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, aims to shape a unified African position on the global climate agenda. The summit showcases Africa-led climate solutions and the continent’s ambitious efforts to restore landscapes and promote sustainable development. 

Bringing together over 45 African Heads of State, 100 speakers, and 25,000 delegates—including regional leaders, youth, civil society, private sector representatives, philanthropic organizations, and community stakeholders—the ACS serves as a catalyst for bold commitments, transformative partnerships, and innovative solutions to address Africa’s most pressing climate challenges. Convened by the African Union and hosted by AU Member States on a rotating basis, the ACS is a biennial continental event.

Belgium is actively engaged in the summit. For years, Belgian climate diplomacy has worked to keep climate issues high on the international agenda. Through its international cooperation efforts, Belgium advocates for innovative climate financing mechanisms and provides technical expertise to tackle concrete challenges.

“Belgium stands firmly alongside African nations in the fight against climate change. In my vision for a partnership between Belgium and Africa on climate change, we build mutually beneficial partnerships for the green energy transition, support Africa’s priorities in terms of adaptation and stand together for the preservation of the lungs of our planet, the African forests. The Africa Climate Summit is a vital platform to amplify African leadership and ensure that climate action is both just and effective,” said Jean-Luc Crucke, Belgian Minister for Mobility, Climate and Ecological Transition, in charge of Sustainable Development, and head of the Belgian delegation to the ACS.

The Belgian agency for international cooperation Enabel was invited by the Ethiopian government to contribute to the summit’s preparation and will co-host four side events. This invitation reflects Enabel’s recognized expertise in climate and energy transition, particularly in Mozambique, where it is partnering with the government to shape and finance solutions for a just energy transition and a climate-resilient economy. Belgium also runs a major programme in the Sahel region, assisting Senegal, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger in building climate resilience. And in Côte d’Ivoire, Enabel has worked with the Government to integrate sustainability and traceability in the cocoa and coffee sectors to comply with the EU’s deforestation-free regulation.

“The Africa Climate Summit is a key opportunity for Enabel to bring local and national experiences into global climate and energy transition discussions,” says Enabel CEO Jean Van Wetter. “It also allows us to gain recognition for our climate expertise and contribute to broader policy dialogues—especially around innovative financing, private sector engagement, and reforming the international financial architecture.”

Enabel’s Side Events at ACS:

1. Biochar from residual biomass – Combating deforestation and strengthening socio-ecological resilience in the Sahel.

   Monday, 8 September – 2 to 3 pm – Room M5 

2. Balancing NDC Ambition and Article 6 – Leveraging carbon markets for Africa’s climate goals

   Monday, 8 September – 4 to 5.30 pm – Rockefeller Foundation Pavilion

3. Deforestation-free value chains – Insights from Africa’s coffee and cocoa sectors and beyond.

Tuesday, 9th September – 3.30 to 4.45 pm – Team Europe Pavilion

4. The Great Green Wall – Leveraging two decades of experience to advance climate solutions in the Sahel and Sahara.

  Wednesday, 10th September – 9.30 to 11 am – Room F1