Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, Mayor of Freetown and Co-Chair of C40 Cities, recently served as the keynote speaker at the C40 Cities Southeast Asia Regional Academy.

Hosted by Mayor Joy Belmonte and the Quezon City Government, the event focused on Inclusive Climate Action and brought together city leaders from Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Quezon City, as well as C40 Cities Advisors from across the region, including Freetown.

In her address, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr emphasized the importance of peer learning within the C40 Cities network, noting that the event provided a valuable opportunity for Freetown to gain insights and strategies from other cities.

The experience allowed her and her team to explore innovative approaches to urban climate action and sustainability.

One notable highlight from the event was Quezon City’s urban farming model, which has successfully integrated approximately 1,300 urban farms throughout the municipality.

These farms are situated in diverse locations, including police station grounds and former illegal dumpsites. Mayor Aki-Sawyerr expressed particular interest in this model, recognizing its potential to inspire similar initiatives in Freetown.

The academy underscored the collaborative spirit of the C40 Cities network and its role in fostering knowledge exchange among cities committed to tackling climate change and promoting sustainable urban development.